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HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY 
 
 OF 
 
 ANIMAL MAGNETISM, 
 
 [ ( WITH PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE 
 EXERCISE OF THIS POWER. 
 
 | BEING A COMPLETE COMPEND OF ALL THE INFORMATION 
 NOW EXISTING UPON THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT. 
 
 BY A PRACTICAL MAGNETIZER. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY J. N. BRADLEY & CO, 
 
 OFFICE OF THE DAILY MAIL, 16 STATE STREET. 
 
To 
 
 ROBERT H. COLLYER, M. D. 
 
 (Pupil of Dr. Elliotson, Member Massachusetts Medical Society, fyc.) 
 
 THE GREAT CHAMPION OF MESMERISM 
 
 IN THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR. 
 
 Note. This work is intended as an elementary treatise upon Animal 
 Magnetism, for the use of intelligent inquirers. The Author has attempted 
 to give just what is stated in the title-page, and no more. His intention 
 was, not to convince the skeptical, but to inform the candid. It was sup- 
 posed that a compend of information, in relation to the history, philosophy, 
 and practice of Animal Magnetism, with all the rules and cautions for the 
 exercise of the power, was desired by the public. And here it is. 
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1843, 
 
 BY J. N. BRADLEY & Co., 
 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts. 
 
co?J 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 Early History of Animal Magnetism — Mesmer the Dis- 
 coverer — Its fate in France — Investigation of the French 
 Academy of Medicine — Opinion of Dr. Franklin. — 
 Magnetism in Great Britain — Opinions of Dr. Elliot son, 
 Rev. C. H. Townsend, Charles Dickens, Lord Broug- 
 ham, $*c. 
 
 The true power of Animal Magnetism, as practiced at the 
 present day, was first discovered by Antony Mesmer, a Swiss 
 Physician, who, about the year 1750, attracted much attention 
 by his philosophical writings. He appeared in Paris, in 1778, 
 where the subject of Magnetizm soon excited great interest; and 
 it is still held in high esteem by the most learned and scientific 
 men of that city, notwithstanding the repeated attempts which 
 have been made to crush it. The Science is now frequently 
 called Mesmerism, after its discoverer. 
 
 In the first discovery of this science, somnambulism was rare, 
 and clairvoyance was unknown. These phenomena have been 
 developed by subsequent experiments. Mesmer applied his 
 power solely to the cure of diseases. He enveloped it in great 
 mystery, and sold his secret to different persons for large sums 
 of money. Many curious stories are related of him, which our 
 limits will not permit us to notice. It is said he was in the habit 
 of operating, not only by actual contact with the patient, but 
 by means also of long rods of iron, which he held at some dis- 
 tance from his body. One of his principal methods was, to 
 convey the magnetic fluid, by cords, either from magnetized 
 trees, or out of covered vessels, to his patients, and in this man- 
 ner was able to throw them into a condition in which they could 
 not be said to be either asleep or awake. 
 
 In his most palmy days, it is said, Mesmer was able to save 
 himself an immensity of trouble, for one glance of his eye was 
 quite enough, very commonly, to rivet the subdued patient in a 
 profound slumber. He always operated, except when he used 
 the magnetized trees, in a chamber lined with mirors, and 
 darkened to a sort of twilight ; and the place, when the opera- 
 tion was going on, is said to have been " a wilderness of solemn 
 silence," broken only by the liquid sounds of the harmonicon, of 
 which Mesmer was a perfect master. In the course of modern 
 experiments, the science has of course been greatly simplified 
 and improved. 
 
 In the year 1784, the subject of Animal Magnetism had ex- 
 cited such great and general interest in France, that the King 
 directed a Committee of the Royal Academy of Medicine of 
 Paris, to investigate the subject, and report their opinion of its 
 merits. Dr. Benjamin Franklin, the American Philosopher, 
 then Ambassador at the court of France, was appointed a member 
 of this Committee. 
 
 ^ 
 
A great number of experiments were performed before this 
 Committee, by Dr. Deslon, a follower of Mesmer, and a report 
 was made unfavorable to the science. It is generally supposed 
 that this report condemned the science altogether ; and the 
 opinion of Dr. Franklin has often been triumphantly quoted by 
 skeptics in support of their skepticism. But such was not the 
 fact. The Committee merely decided that there was not suffi- 
 cient evidence exhibited, to show that the phenomena called 
 Magnetic, were caused by the action of a fluid, as had been con- 
 tended by the disciples of Mesmer ; but they attributed the 
 singular results which they had witnessed — and which were 
 admitted as remarkable in the report — to the influence of the 
 imagination. 
 
 " Say what you will," observes the Rev. Mr. Townsend, "the 
 important point in Mesmerism — the strange influence of man 
 upon his fellows — was conceded by the Committee, in terms the 
 most explicit." 
 
 One circumstance attending this report will show the value of 
 the great American Philosopher's opinion. It is said that of all 
 the members of the Committee, Dr. Franklin, on account of ill 
 health, took the least active part in the investigation. Mr. Alex- 
 ander Jussieu, one of the most eminent naturalists and philoso- 
 phers of his age, carefully attended all the experiments, and 
 experimented himself upon several patients. Now mark the 
 result. Dr. Franklin signed the report against Magnetism, and 
 Jussieu alone differed from his associates. He did not sign the 
 report, but published a private one, remarkable in every point, 
 in which he asserts that he had obtained positive evidence of the 
 reality of a magnetic power in the human system. 
 
 In 1825, this same French Academy of Medicine, at the 
 suggestion of Dr. Foissac, decided that the multitude of new 
 facts which had been elicited in relation to Animal Magnetism, 
 rendered it necessary to make a new examination of the subject. 
 A Committee of nine members, distinguished for their talents 
 and philosophical attainments, was formed for that purpose, 
 and after four years of careful investigation, they made an 
 elaborate report entirely favorable to Magnetism. 
 
 They declared, among other things, that " a certain number 
 of the observed phenomena, appeared to them to have been 
 produced by Magnetism alone, and could not have been pro- 
 duced without it." And they concluded by saying, that "they 
 have collected facts important enough to show that the Academy 
 should encourage and favor researches in Magnetism, as being 
 a very curious branch of Physiology and Natural History." 
 
 Let no person after reading these facts, pretend to assert that 
 the French Academy of Medicine has condemned Animal 
 Magnetism. We are willing to let the opinion of Dr. Franklin, 
 on this subject, pass for what it is worth. That he was wise 
 beyond knowledge, is evident. 
 
From France, a knowledge of Animal Magnetism, soon spread 
 into Great Britain, Germany, Prussia, Russia, and other 
 countries of Europe, where it has engaged the attention of sci- 
 entific men to the present day. Innumerable treatises have 
 been written upon it, in various languages ; hospitals have been 
 erected for the application of the power as a medical agent ; a 
 professorship of Magnetism was created by the faculty at Berlin; 
 and all for what? To sustain an imposture? It cannot be 
 possible. 
 
 In Great Britain the science of Magnetism appears to have 
 made less progress than in the United States. At least, the 
 accounts of experiments which we receive from England, through 
 the public journals, do not display a very high degree of skill in 
 the art, or a very extended knowledge of the principles upon 
 which it is based. The power, however, appears to have been 
 extensively applied for the relief of pain, and in surgical opera- 
 tions, with great success. 
 
 In England there are two distinguished believers and advocates 
 of Mesmerism, whose names are known to all intelligent persons 
 at all acquainted with the science — Dr. John Elliotson, Presi- 
 dent of the London University Hospital, and the Rev. Chauncy 
 Hare Townsend of the established Church. Dr. Elliotson has 
 been remarkably successful in his experiments. He has deliv- 
 ered an address before the London Phrenological Society, in 
 explanation and support of the Magnetic power, particularly in 
 relation to its influence upon the separate organs of the brain ; 
 and he has also published several valuable essays upon the 
 subject. One chapter of his splendid work on Physiology, 
 which may be found in the libraries of some few wealthy per- 
 sons in the United States, is devoted to Magnetism, as an 
 important branch of study. 
 
 The excellent work entitled " Facts in Mesmerism," by the 
 Rev. Mr. Townsend, which has been republished in this country, 
 has done much to advance the science, and -to give it a respec- 
 table character. This work is more particularly noticed in 
 Chapter VIII of this treatise. 
 
 The opinion of Mr. Charles Dickens (Boz,) may also be 
 noticed, to show the estimation in which this science is now 
 held by men of intelligence in Great Britain. Mr. Dickens, in 
 a letter to a friend, says, that, having witnessed the experiments 
 of Dr. Elliotson in London, "he should be untrue to that gen- 
 tleman and to himself, if he hesitated to declare, that he is a 
 believer in the science, and that he became so against all his 
 preconceived opinions and prejudices." 
 
 It has also been stated that the London Society for the 
 Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, with Lord Brougham at their 
 head, has borne public testimony to the reality and usefulness 
 of Magnetism. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 Introduction of Magnetism into the United States — Poyen' s 
 Experiments and publications — Dr. R. H. Colly er — 
 the Boston Report on Magnetism — Present condition of 
 the Science in the United States — Magnetism in New 
 England — Dr. D. Gilbert, Benj. T. Nyman, Rev. J, 
 B. Dods, Mrs. Fergus, Silas Allen, Dr. Shattuck, fyc. 
 
 Animal Magnetism was first introduced into the United States, 
 in 1836, by Charles Poyen, a French gentleman of good talents 
 and education, who appears to have been a very sincere, but 
 excessively timid advocate of the science. He was engaged 
 for some time as a teacher of the- French language at Lowell, 
 Mass., and afterwards at Boston. He had witnessed experi- 
 ments in Magnetism before leaving Paris, but did not exercise 
 the power until after his arrival in this country. He visited a 
 large number of towns and cities in New England giving lectures 
 upon Magnetism, public experiments and private instruction to 
 classes. He met with very little success, either in promoting a 
 belief in his doctrines, or in pecuniary benefit to himself. But 
 the seed was sown which was to spring up and bear a hundred 
 fold. 
 
 Mons. Poyen's principal magnetic subject was a Miss Gleason, 
 of Pawtucket, a young lady of good character, who had been 
 an invalid, and was greatly benefited by magnetic influence. 
 Mons. Poyen also magnetized several other persons, but he does 
 not appear to have possessed any extraordinary power. 
 
 Miss Gleason was one of the best magnetic subjects ever 
 produced in the United States. She has since been magnetized 
 many thousand times, without any injury to her mind or health. 
 She has resided for some years past in the family of Mr Alex- 
 ander Wright of Lowell, a gentleman of Scotch descent, a 
 powerful magnetizer, and a particular friend of Mons. Poyen, 
 during his residence in this country. Mr. Wright is the super- 
 intendent of a Carpet Factory. Miss Gleason has frequently 
 been magnetized by ladies, and children. 
 
 Mons. Poyen published a work in 1837, entitled the " Progress 
 of Animal Magnetism in New England," in which he gave a 
 history of his experiments with Miss Gleason and others, pre- 
 faced by an interesting essay upon " The Proofs of Magnetism." 
 This is a work of considerable value. 
 
 Miss Gleason is now in the city of Boston, in the family of 
 Mr. Silas Allen, (a good magnetizer) and while in the magnetic 
 state, she frequently examines persons afflicted with internal 
 diseases, with great benefit to the patients, giving them informa- 
 
tion respecting their condition which they could not possibly ob 
 tain from physicians who judge of diseases only by external signs] 
 
 A year or too after the publication of his work, Mons. Poyen 
 returned to Paris, where he still resides. The last information 
 we had of him was, that he had partially given up his favorite 
 subject of animal magnetism, and devoted himself to the culti- 
 vation of the sugar beet. His ambition while in this country, 
 appears to have been to win the reputation of introducing and 
 establishing the science of magnetism in the United States. 
 But he lacked the magnetic power and the moral courage 
 necessary to accomplish this gigantic task. He had raised a 
 whirlwind, but he could not direct the storm. 
 
 Much discussion was excited by Mons. Poyen's experiments. 
 The public sentiment was however violently opposed to the 
 subject, supposing it to be an arrant humbug. The letter to 
 Dr. Brigham of Hartford, by Col. Stone of N. Y.; the Pratical 
 Instructions of Deleuze ; Durand's pretended Exposition of 
 Magnetism ; and several other publications appeared at this 
 time. A few intelligent men in Boston, Providence and New 
 York, learned the art of magnetizing ; but the whole thing was 
 generally considered so absurd and ridiculous, that they were 
 compelled to practice it in secret. Durand's burlesque upon 
 magnetism contributed, more than all other causes combined to 
 produce this result. 
 
 As might be expected, a great calm followed this excited state 
 of the public mind. Every body supposed that animal magnet- 
 ism was effectually killed ; and it was consigned, by common 
 consent to that "limbo " of things lost or forgotten upon earth 
 which Milton speaks of — a place " far off on the back side of the 
 world." 
 
 Two or three years passed away, and no new facts were 
 elicited in relation to this subject. At length there appeared in 
 New York a magnetizer of great and peculiar power, Dr. 
 Robert H. Collyer, whose name and history are now so 
 familiar to the people of New England, that it is almost un- 
 necessary to detail his agency in the promotion of magnetism. 
 
 Dr. Collyer is one of the most fearless advocates of magnetism 
 we have ever known ; and although somewhat peculiar in his 
 public discourses, and somewhat eccentric in his general char- 
 acter, yet from his thorough acquaintance with chemistry and 
 physiology, his burning enthusiam, and his dauntless energy of 
 character, he is a man admirably qualified for an advocate of 
 Mesmerism, which excites at once the strongest prejudices and 
 the fiercest opposition of all classes of society. If Dr. Collyer 
 has done little to covince the mass of mankind of the truth of 
 magnetism, he has done much to excite investigation and inquiry, 
 and to revive the subject from its dormant state, and he has 
 been justly styled " the champion of Mesmerism in the United 
 States.' , 
 
8 
 
 Dr Collyer first lectured in Boston in the spring of 1841. 
 His lectures were attended by large and intelligent audiences, 
 almost every night, for nearly three months in succession. 
 Many persons were convinced by his experiments of the reality 
 of a magnetic power in the human system, and many intelligent 
 skeptics were confounded. 
 
 A Committee, consisting of twenty-four gentlemen, selected 
 from the learned professions, was finally chosen to investigate 
 the subject in private, and decide whether it was a humbug or 
 not. The committee held numerous sessions, and Dr. Collyer 
 appeared before them with his subjects, and entered into a full 
 explanation of the magnetic state. The Committee also per- 
 formed several experiments of a fearful character, which Dr. 
 Collyer had not before attempted. The members finally con- 
 fessed themselves unable to discover any thing like imposture in 
 the magnetic state, but still they refused to give a decided 
 opinion in favor of the science. 
 
 The report of their proceedings however, closed with the 
 following resolution, which was unanimously adopted, with a 
 view to publication : 
 
 " Resolved, that while this Committee refrain from expressing 
 any opinion as to the science or principle of animal magnetism, 
 they freely confess, that in the experiments of Dr. Collyer, 
 certain appearances have been presented, which cannot he ex- 
 plained upon the supposition of collusion, or by reference to any 
 physiological principles known to them. 
 
 This result was perfectly satisfactory to the friends of Mag- 
 netism. It concedes the great point in dispute, — the reality of 
 the mesmeric condition, — and when that is granted all the rest 
 must follow, almost as a matter of course. 
 
 Dr. Collyer has continued his lectures and experiments in 
 Boston and vicinity, until the present time, with great success. 
 He has also visited various parts of New England, Canada, and 
 New York, where he has invariably attracted large audiences, 
 and contributed in no small degree to extend a knowledge of 
 the science among the people. 
 
 A great number of other persons of good talents, have entered 
 the field as lecturers and practical magnetizers, among whom 
 are several of the gentler sex ; and there are now, without doubt, 
 some two or three hundred skilful magnetizers in the city of 
 Boston alone, and some twenty or thirty public lecturers in 
 New England. 
 
 Dr. D. Gilbert, a physician of good standing in Boston, has 
 produced some remarkable effects by the power of "local 
 magnetism," or the concentration of the magnetic influence upon 
 a single organ or point of the body. This is particularly 
 noticed in the chapter upon the results of magnetism. Dr. 
 Gilbert has lectured repeatedly in Boston and the adjacent 
 towns with much success, always attracting the most intelligent 
 
9 
 
 portion of the community, and presenting the subject with a 
 degree of candor and skill, which gains for him the respect and 
 confidence of the community. Dr. Gilbert has reduced his 
 views to a scientific theory, somewhat more elaborate than that 
 which we have given in this work, but agreeing perfectly with 
 our explanation in the main. 
 
 Benj. T. Nyman, Esq., of Boston, is a magnetizer of great 
 power, and very skilful in the management of experiments. 
 Mr. Nyman has attended numerous private parties, and illus- 
 trated the science in presence of the most learned and scientific 
 men of our city; and he has probably made more converts 
 among this class of people, than any other magnetizer. His 
 public lectures have been attended by large and intelligent 
 audiences, and his discourses are distinguished for boldness and 
 good common sense. He is an intelligent practical man — well 
 qualified to illustrate this delicate subject. 
 
 The Rev. J. B. Dods, a Universalist clergyman, has recently 
 lectured to audiences of nearly three thousand persons, for six 
 or eight nights in succession, at the Malboro Chapel, in Boston. 
 He is a man of decided talent, and possesses a happy faculty of 
 interesting the great mass of the people in this mysterious and 
 intricate science. His great experience in addressing religious 
 societies, united with the habits of moral control and abstraction 
 of mind, which his profession requires, afforded an excellent 
 preparation for this difficult task. Mr. Dods has enlightened 
 and convinced hundreds of persons who have heretofore been 
 violent sceptics. 
 
 Mrs. Fergus, an intelligent and respectable lady of Boston, 
 has given a great number of public and private illustrations of 
 mesmerism, in family circles, and at her rooms, at the corner of 
 Washington and Winter Streets. Her subject is ayoung woman 
 blind from her birth. The experiments which she performs are 
 of the most interesting character. 
 
 Dr. Shattuck of Lowell has also been very successful as a 
 magnetizer and lecturer, and has made some new and valuable 
 discoveries in the science. A large tumor was extracted from 
 the shoulder of a lady whom he had magnetized, at a public 
 lecture in Lowell, without causing the slightest pain. The In- 
 cision was made to the depth of two inches. This experiment 
 was performed under the direct personal inspection of three or 
 four other physicians, who admitted the astonishing insensibility 
 of the patient. . 
 
 Silas Allen, Esq., of Pleasant St , Boston, is another good 
 magnetizer. We have already mentioned that Miss Gleason 
 the first person magnetized by Mons. Poyen, is now in this gen- 
 tleman's family. Mr. Allen recently magnetized a lady who 
 had broken an arm, and the fracture was set by Dr. Hewett, the 
 well known " bone setter" while she was in this state, without 
 pain. The arm was afterwards kept in the insensible condition 
 
10 
 
 until healed. A report of this case has been published by Mr. 
 Allen himself. 
 
 Among other gentlemen who have exercised the magnetic 
 power, written upon the subject, and taken an active interest in 
 its progress, we may mention the following : 
 
 In Boston, Rev. John Pierpont; Drs. Lewis, Flint, Dana, 
 Ingalls, Gregerson, and Ball ; Mr. Brackett, artist ; Robert 
 Carter, Esq., &c. 
 
 In New York, Rufus Dawes, Esq., the poet, Henry Inman, 
 artist, Dr. H. H. Sherwood, and Rev. La Roy Sunderland. 
 
 In Providence, R. I., Drs. Brownell and Cleaveland ; T. C. 
 Hartshorn, Esq. 
 
 In Portland, Me,, John Neal, Esq., Professor In graham. 
 
 in Hartford, Ct., Bishop Brownell, Ex-Governor Ellsworth, 
 Dr. Brigham, and the Professors of Washington College. 
 
 In Albany, Rev. Messrs. Garfield, and Sprague ; Dr. Yates, 
 Professor Grimes, and Mr. Colburn. 
 
 In Philadelphia, Professor Mitchell, and several eminent 
 lawers. 
 
 In Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. Charles Caldwell, and J. R. 
 Buchanan* 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The art of Magnetizing — All persons possess the power — 
 Method of operating — The Magnetic state — Its leading 
 features — Rides and Cautions for the exercise of the 
 power — Convulsions, Paroxysms, Crisis, fyc. 
 
 It is universally contended by Magnetizers that all persons 
 possess the magnetic power — females as well as males, and even 
 children — differing only in degree. It is also believed that all 
 persons can be acted upon by magnetic influence, differing, of 
 course, in the degree of their susceptibility. 
 
 In answer to the inquiry, " can every person be magnetized 1 " 
 we answer — yes. But one individual cannot magnetize every 
 body. The most powerful magnetizer in the whole world (if 
 he could be found) might magnetize all the rest of his fellow 
 beings. But until this man be found, we must be content with 
 this simple principle of nature — a lesser power cannot over- 
 come a greater. 
 
 The difference in magnetic power between any two individu- 
 als arises, of course, from the different amount of vital fluid in 
 
11 
 
 their systems ; from the presence or absence of the intellec- 
 ual and moral qualifications necessary to perform the operation; 
 and from their knowledge or ignorance of the rules by which 
 the art is governed. A man of powerful and well cultivated 
 intellect, accustomed to mathematical abstraction, possessing a 
 strong physical constitution full of vital fluid, will, of course, 
 perform the operation of magnetizing better than a person in a 
 low state of vitality, with a weak, uncultivated, or wandering 
 mind. Thus it will be seen why some persons cannot magne- 
 tize every body. A lesser power cannot overcome a greater. 
 
 The power of magnetizing is greatly increased by practice. 
 The operator gains confidence — learns to economise his power, 
 and to exert it to advantage — and acquires a certain knowledge, 
 feeling, or "knack," which it is almost impossible to explain in 
 language. 
 
 The usual method of magnetizing a " new subject," or one 
 who has never been magnetized before, is this : 
 
 The magnetizer takes a seat in front of the person to be 
 magnetized, as represented in the preceding engraving. He 
 first places the palms of his own hands upon the hands of the 
 subject, and endeavors to establish an equal degree of warmth 
 between them. He then places the balls of his thumbs against 
 the balls of his subject's thumbs, holding the hands with a gentle 
 pressure. Then abstracting his mind from all other thoughts 
 and objects, and fixing his eyes upon the eyes of the subject, 
 with earnest, determined, penetrating, but somewhat mild ex- 
 pression, he exerts an unremitted, unchanging effort of will r 
 increasing in intensity the longer it continues, until the subject 
 yield before his superior power, and closes his eyes in the mag- 
 netic sleep. 
 
 During all this operation the eyes of the magnetizer should 
 not for an instant relax their hold upon the eyes of the subject, 
 or move a hair's-breadth from their object, which is the very 
 pupil of the eye. The magnetizer should not even wink from 
 first to last, till the eyes of the subject close involuntarily as if 
 made of lead. Incredible as it may seem, the eyes of a pow- 
 erful magnetizer can be kept unwinking for half an hour, or 
 even longer. 
 
 The act of magnetizing is now considered almost entirely a 
 severe mental operation, and very little physical exertion is 
 believed to be required. 
 
 As soon as the eyes of the subject close, the magnetizer 
 begins to make the "passes" as they are called, with both 
 hands, from the crown of the head down the sides of the face 
 and body, to the end of the fingers, throwing the hands outward 
 and carrying them back again to the crown of the head in 
 semi-circles. The fingers of the operator, at this time, should 
 always be kept slightly separated. After making these passes 
 two or three minutes, (or longer) the magnetizer should pass 
 
12 • 
 
 his hands lightly from the head, directly across the face to the 
 pit of the subject's stomach [always avoiding the nose and chin) 
 permitting them to rest upon the stomach for a momemt, then 
 throwing them outward as before. Let these passes be contin- 
 ued for a few minutes; then repeat the first passes; then make 
 several long passes from the head down to the feet ; and the 
 work is finished. If many experiments should be tried with the 
 subject, the short passes must be occasionally repeated. 
 
 The prevailing sentiment in the mind of the magnetizer, 
 during this operation, should be strong determination of will, 
 united with benevolence of feeling. The proper ingredients of 
 the magnetic power, are happily illustrated by the magic 
 circle on the last page of this work. 
 
 An experienced magnetizer can generally tell by his own 
 feelings whether he is likely to be successful or not. If success- 
 ful, he seems to fasten upon the eye of the subject, with a gathering 
 fascinating power, of a peculiar nature — and when this has been 
 accomplished, he should endeavor, by all means, to keep the 
 "charm " unbroken. This is the feeling, or "knack," before 
 alluded to. 
 
 A subject is awakened and brought out of the magnetic statp, 
 by making passes, at the distance of two inches from the body, 
 upward from the stomach to the head, exerting the will in a mod- 
 erate degree to produce the desired result. There is no difficulty 
 in this, and extended directions are therefore unnecessary. 
 
 After the magnetic sympathy is established, between the 
 magnetizer and his patient, by holding the thumbs, and exer- 
 cising the will, the external senses of sight, hearing, feeling, 
 tasting, and smelling, generally become blunted, one by one ; 
 the eyelids are irresistably drawn together ; a tingling sensation 
 is felt in the arms ; cold currents of air seem to be passing 
 around the body, in the direction of the magnetizer's hands; 
 and a general torpdr falls upon the limbs. The eye yields first 
 to the slumbrous influence, but long after that organ has ceased 
 to act, the hearing retains all its acuteness, and the patient is 
 still able to indicate sounds. But at length the " porches of the 
 ear " are closed, as well as the "curtain of the eye," — the senses 
 of feeling, taste, and smell, lose their external power and the 
 patient, though still alive and breathing, is dead to every thing 
 around him, save the magnetizer's voice. 
 
 This condition is not always, as has been supposed, a state of 
 perfect insensibility. It is believed, however, that no power but 
 magnetism can awaken a subject while in the perfect somnam- 
 bulic state. You may call upon them, but unless you are placed 
 in magnetic communication, they cannot hear you. You may 
 make shrill noises in their ears, or discharge pistols over their 
 heads, but you cannot start them. None of the subjects that 
 we have operated upon, could be awakened by external injuries 
 inflicted upon the body. Very strong ammonia applied to the 
 
13 
 
 nostrils, will sometimes cause them to move the head, and will 
 bring tears from the eyes, but will not dispel the magnetic in- 
 fluence. So, if snuff, or red pepper, or hartshorn, should be 
 thrust into the nostrils, with the end of a quill, until it reached 
 the nerves of the eye, and affected the lungs, it would cause a 
 sensation of pain, but would not arouse the patient, and he 
 would know nothing of it, when brought back to his natural 
 state. But what is very curious, although an arm or a leg might 
 be amputated, without causing the patient to start, a slight dash 
 of cold water thrown into the face will make him start more 
 than any thing that can be done to him. 
 
 We know that many of the operations of the body go on as 
 in ordinary life, and there is a living, palpitating substance be- 
 neath the paralyzed surface — but the avenues of external sensa- 
 tion seem to be generally closed — the patient loses control over 
 his own thoughts and actions — and remembers nothing of what 
 has passed, on being brought back to the natural state. 
 
 All persons, in the magnetic state, do not present the same 
 phenomena. 
 
 Some persons are entirely rigid and insensible to pain, in every 
 part of the body. You may pierce their flesh with knives, pull 
 out their teeth, cauterize them with a hot iron, apply the most 
 powerful caustic to their flesh, or give them an electric shock 
 which would cause instant death in the natural state, but they 
 appear totally unconscious of your attacks. 
 
 Others manifest a degree of sensation altogether unnatural, 
 falling into fits of rage, or violent convulsions, if only touched 
 by a spectator, or brought into contact with steel and other 
 substances. 
 
 Some persons never speak while in the magnetic state ; some 
 speak with difficulty ; others speak with the greatest elegance 
 and fluency. 
 
 Some subjects possess the power of clairvoyance, and second- 
 sight in a high degree, and can see things independently of the 
 magnetizer, near their heads or at great distance, and describe 
 them with astonishing accuracy. Others are never able to see 
 or describe anything, near them or at a distance. 
 
 There is evidently no invariable rule with regard to the powers 
 which may be elicited by magnetic influence, in different som- 
 nambulists. Nor are the same subjects always alike at different 
 times. 
 
 The following are the principle cautions to be observed in 
 exercising the magnetic power. 
 
 No person afflicted with nervous debility, bad humors, or 
 chronic diseases, (especially of the heart or stomach) should 
 ever attempt to magnetize. Apart from the injury sustained by 
 the operator, the effect of such diseases upon the subject must 
 be decidedly bad. Persons in the magnetic state feel most 
 keenly all the sensations of the magnetizer, and suffer all his 
 
14 
 
 ills, even in a greater degree, and are often seriously affected 
 in consequence. 
 
 Nervous feelings in the operater, will produce convulsions in 
 the subject, which it is often exceedingly difficult to suppress. 
 Humors irritate them, or excite great nausea ; and chronic 
 diseases, such as St. Vitus' dance, are sometimes permanently 
 communicated to the subject through the magnetic medium. 
 
 No person afflicted with chronic diseases of the heart, stomach 
 or brain, should be thrown into the perfect magnetic state, by a 
 person not thoroughly familiar with all the effects of this influ- 
 ence; for though magnetism might be beneficial to such persons, 
 if judiciously applied, yet if improperly used, it might be ex- 
 ceedingly disastrous. 
 
 In case any excitement, convulsions, or other paroxysms 
 should occur while the subject is in the magnetic state, the true 
 course for the operator is, to remain perfectly calm, and cool ; 
 and he should immediately endeavor to restore the equilibrium 
 of sensibility in the system by making long passes from the head 
 to the pit of the stomach, and the extremities, exerting the will 
 powerfully to compose the subject, until the paroxysms cease. 
 
 Convulsions and paroxysms arise from two causes — excite- 
 ment from sympathy with the magnetizer ; from disease in the 
 magnetizer or the subject; or in consequence of magnetizing 
 some of the organs of the brain, or the sympathetic nerves, 
 intentionally or otherwise. 
 
 When the convulsions arise from sympathetic excitement, or 
 from disease, the long passes from the head to the stomach will 
 generally check them. But if this should prove ineffectual, the 
 subject should be immediately taken out of the state. 
 
 When the convulsions arise from accidental or improper 
 excitement of the organs of the brain, they can be checked by 
 exciting the opposite organs, or by reducing the influence upon 
 the excited organs, with backward passes. For instance, if 
 combativeness be unnaturally excited, magnetize benevolence, 
 and the subject's rage is changed at once to kindness and good 
 humor. It is highly desirable to know precisely where these 
 organs are located, so as to be able to hit them at once. 
 
 The magnetizer should always avoid placing the points of his 
 fingers on any part of the head or body of the subject, (par- 
 ticularly upon the nose, chin, &c.) unless he is very familiar 
 with the location of the organs and the sympathetic points, 
 as they are called, of the whole system This rule is one of 
 vast importance. 
 
16 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Philosophy of Magnetism explained — The Magnetic 
 Fluid — The Spiritual State — Main points of difference 
 between Magnetizers — Magnetism not the effect of imag- 
 ination, or the result of contrivance — Character of the 
 Magnetic Medium — Analogies of Nature. 
 
 Intelligent Magnetisers throughout the country, agree very 
 nearly in their opinions with regard to the nature of the mag- 
 netic power and the philosophy of the science. 
 
 We think we may assert, without fear of contradiction, that 
 Dr. Collyer, Dr. Gilbert, Dr. Francis Dana, Rev. Mr. Dods, and 
 Mr. Benj. T. Nyman, of Boston ; Rev. Mr. Sunderland and 
 Dr. Sherwood, of N. Y.; Rev. Mr. Garfield, of Albany ; Dr. 
 Buchanan, of Louisville ; and other distinguished mesmerisers, 
 all unite in explaining Animal Magnetism upon the principles 
 which we are about to state. This is also the theory set forth 
 by the Rev. Mr. Townsend, of England, in his " Facts in Mes- 
 merism ;" it was the doctrine advocated by Mesmer, Poyen, and 
 Deleuze ; and it agrees with the opinions of many of the old 
 philosophers who wrote upon the subject of the soul. Our ex- 
 planation is this : 
 
 It is believed that there is an elastic, invisible ether pervading 
 all nature, which, under different modifications, and in different 
 bodies, assumes the character of the electric, the galvanic, and 
 the magnetic fluid. That a modification of this elastic ether is 
 resident in the nerves of the human system, and is the connecting 
 link between mind and matter. That this ether being set in mo- 
 tion by the will of one person, can be made to operate upon the 
 ether resident in the nerves of anotner person, and through that 
 ether upon the brain, so as to paralyze the external senses, control 
 the mind, and hold subject the whole man to the will of the 
 magnetizer. This ether, or fluid, is called the Magnetic Me- 
 dium. 
 
 It is further believed that the human system consists of four 
 great divisions. 1. A material body. 2. A vital or animating 
 principle. 3. A mental power. 4. A soul, or spirit. And that 
 the magnetic fluid is the vital principle, and the cause of all the 
 strength and animation of the body. 
 
 It is also believed that when the avenues of natural or exter- 
 nal sensation are closed, by the action of the vital or magnetic 
 fluid communicated by the magnetizer, the internal sense (or 
 spirit) becomes, as it were, somewhat relieved from the ordinary 
 influences of the body, (as it will be after death,) and conse- 
 quently displays its spiritual power ; that the spirit exists, in 
 
16 
 
 fact, in a new atmosphere, (the magnetic) in a state of being 
 governed by new lows, and presenting most wonderful phenom- 
 ena. The magnetic fluid then becomes a medium for the com- 
 munication of ideas and sensations to the mind, just as the air 
 conveys sounds to the ear, odors to the sense of smelling, and 
 concussions to the sense of feeling. 
 
 When the subject is in the magnetic state, the internal sense 
 has the power of seeing through all space, to the remotest 
 bounds of the universe, by an independent power of sight — and 
 this constitutes true Clairvoyance. The internal sense not only 
 sees what the magnetizer may imagine, and communicate by 
 sympathy of sensation, but it sees things that the magnetizer 
 cannot see, and never has seen, by an independent power, pe- 
 culiar to that spiritual condition. 
 
 The manner in which the magnetic fluid operates upon the 
 human system, is a point not yet understood, and perhaps it 
 never will be. It is a mystery, like many other mysteries of 
 nature, which man cannot explain. We see a blade of grass 
 grow, but we cannot fully explain how it grows. 
 
 The principal points of debate, between magnetizers, respect- 
 ing the philosophy of the science, are these: 
 
 1. Whether the magnetic influence is a direct operation of 
 mind upon mind, or the operation of mind upon a magnetic me- 
 dium or fluid ? 
 
 2. Whether, if there be a magnetic fluid in the human sys- 
 tem, it is analogous to electricity or not ? 
 
 The first, is mainly a point of inquiry, rather than of belief. 
 No person, we think, practically acquainted with the science, 
 actually believes the magnetic power simply a mental operation, 
 without the agency of a fluid. 
 
 In relation to the second point, the prevailing opinion of mag- 
 netizers is settled and uniform. They believe that the magnetic 
 fluid is in some respects strikingly analogous to electricity, and 
 the galvanic fluid ; but in other respects it differs from both very 
 widely. They consider it a similar principle of nature, modi- 
 fied by the human system. The Rev. Mr. Dods is the only 
 magnetiser who contends for a very strict analogy between elec- 
 tricity and animal magnetism. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Townsend says, " I do not contend for the 
 identity of the magnetic agency with the electric, but for the 
 propinquity." 
 
 Dr. Buchanan of Louisville, says: " I have clearly proved 
 the existence of a fluid in the nervous system, and am sure of 
 its great analogy to magnetism ; hut have not succeeded in 
 proving its identity cither with electricity, magnetism, or gal- 
 vanism.'* 
 
 We have recently made particular inquiries of Dr. Gilbert 
 and Mr. Nyman, distinguished magnetizers before mentioned, as 
 to their views on this point, and they both unite in saying they 
 
17 
 
 do not believe in a perfect analogy between electricity, and ani- 
 mal magnetism. The opinions expressed by.Mr. Sunderland, 
 in his " Magnet," and by Dr. Collyer in his lectures, agree most 
 perfectly with those above quoted. 
 
 That the results produced by the magnetizer cannot be the 
 effect of imagination, is too apparent to admit of a doubt ; that 
 idea has long since been exploded, and no person at all ac- 
 quainted with the subject, now pretends to advance it with any 
 confidence whatever. 
 
 We disprove this charge at once, by the fact that a person 
 who has been magnetized several times, can be thrown into' the 
 magnetic sleep by the magnetizer, when he is at a distance of 
 half a mile, and at a moment when the person to be acted upon 
 shall not even suspect it. This has been done successfully by a 
 person who did not even know where the subject of his opera- 
 tions was at the time he made the attempt. 
 
 The greatest disbelievers in the science have also been 
 thrown into the magnetic state, while making every effort to 
 resist the influence of the power. 
 
 That the results of magnetism cannot be produced by any 
 artificial contrivances, by drugs and opiates, or by collusion and 
 trickery, has been admitted, by the most learned and ingenious 
 men, who have, at various times, investigated the science in Eu- 
 rope and America. Indeed, if this power were a human con- 
 trivance, it would be more wonderful than magnetism itself with 
 all its mystery. 
 
 That the magnetic medium, or fluid, partakes in no degree of 
 the qualities of the immortal spirit, we feel satisfied from long 
 experience, under every variety of circumstances, and from ex- 
 periments of the most daring character, performed with a deter- 
 mination to put this question to the severest test that the nature 
 of the subject permits. We are convinced, that however much 
 we may operate upon the physical man, and upon the magnetic 
 fluid which pervades his system, we have no control whatever 
 over the immortal principle. 
 
 There is one reason, mentioned by Mr. Townsend, in proof of 
 this theory of a magnetic fluid, which we consider a very forci- 
 ble and substantial one: "That the magnetic influence," he 
 says, " is capable of exhaustion and repair, like any other physical 
 agency, we have had abundant means of ascertaining. It is well 
 known that when we are strongest we can best magnetize, and 
 that our power declines in proportion to the fatigue consequent 
 upon its exertion. And when thus exhausted, the best restora- 
 tive is exercise in the open air." 
 
 Now if the magnetic principle were not a fluid of a physical 
 nature, how could it be thus poured out and exhausted? If the 
 magnetic power proceeded from the immortal spirit, do you 
 think it could be thus lost and regained— diminished and in- 
 creased ? Do you think we could reduce the dimensions of the 
 
18 
 
 soul, by a mere effort of will, an d regain immortal power from 
 the common sun, the air, the skies? x 
 
 Mr. Townsend observes, that if we seek for a general instance 
 of the mutual loss and gain and interchange of vital force, which 
 is one of the principal wonders of magnetism, we have only to 
 look at the effects produced when old persons sleep with young. 
 Since the days of King David, it has been known that old per- 
 sons are thus strengthened at the expense of the young. 
 
 Some painful instances of this kind are upon record. One of 
 an.infirm old lady, who was so sensible of the benefit which she 
 derived from sleeping with young persons, that with a sort of 
 horrid vampyrism she always compelled her maid to share her 
 bed, and thus successively destroyed the health of several at- 
 tendants. 
 
 Facts of this description are well known, and show conclu- 
 sively that the vital power is a fluid, of a physical nature, capa- 
 ble of being communicated from one body to another. 
 
 Some magnetizers have suggested that the magnetic fluid, 
 was the great creative and vivifying power of the universe, the 
 cause of light and heat, and the vitality of plants ; and there 
 would seem to be much that is reasonable in the idea. 
 
 chapter v. 
 
 I 
 The principal results of Magnetic power — Sympathy of 
 Sensation — Spiritual Knowledge — Clairvoyance — Des- 
 cribing internal Diseases — Phreno- Magnetism — Neurol- 
 ogy — Local Magnetism — Latent Influences — Wonderful 
 Insensibility — Magnetism not Injurious — Experiments 
 with the Blind. 
 
 The grand characteristic of the Magnetic state, is the general 
 insensibility of the system, and the control exercised over the 
 mind and body of the subject, by the will of the Magnetizer. 
 
 The principal results which have been produced, in dif- 
 ferent subjects, by this power, are the following. 
 
 Sympathy of Sensation. The great sympathy of sensation, 
 established between the subject and the magnetizer, is one of 
 the first results of the magnetic condition. Some subjects 
 manifest a more feeble degree of sympathy than others; but in 
 general they feel very acutely all the pains, pleasures, tastes, 
 and other sensations which the magnetizer feels ; read his 
 thoughts, and the two, in this respect, become " one flesh." 
 There is no doubt at all upon this point. 
 
19 
 
 Spiritual Knowledge. The fact that a person in the magnetic 
 state, possesses superior knowledge, and wonderfully increased 
 capacity of mind, is also placed beyond dispute. Under the 
 influence of this power, the ignorant become wise; the weak- 
 minded become strong and intelligent ; a person of no musical 
 taste or cultivation, can sing and play with a skill surpassing the 
 most experienced performers ; the profane and the infidel, 
 become devout ; and the whole moral and intellectual character, 
 becomes changed from the degraded condition of earth, to the 
 exalted intelligence of a spiritual state. The external senses 
 are all suspended, and the internal sense or spirit, acts with its 
 natural power, as it will when entirely freed from the body after 
 death. 
 
 No person, we think, can listen to the revelations of a subject 
 in a magnetic state, respecting the mysteries of our nature, and 
 continue to doubt the existence of a never-dying soul, and the 
 existence of a future, or heavenly life. 
 
 Clairvoyance. We also believe in the reality of an indepen- 
 dent power of second-sight, called Clairvoyance — the power of 
 seeing through all space, and describing scenes as existing at 
 the moment, in any part of the universe, without the aid of the 
 Magnetizer. When the subject receives ideas of places and 
 things through the mind of the Magnetizer, it is merely thought' 
 reading, or sympathy of sensation, not true Clairvoyance. 
 There has been much mistake upon this point, and we wish to 
 convey a correct idea of the power. 
 
 When the subject is in the perfect somnambulic state, the 
 whole universe appears to them, (so they invariably inform us,) 
 as if filled with light. They see with an internal or spiritual 
 sense of sight, through the magnetic medium. When the 
 magnetizer directs his mind to a particular object or place in 
 any part of the world, he acts as a guide to point out the place 
 or object which he would have the subject look at, and the 
 subject then actually sees, not only that particular object or 
 place, but all other objects and places in the vicinity, as they 
 exist at the moment; they can then see things which the magne- 
 tizer cannot see, and never has seen, with an independent power 
 of sight. In true Clairvoyant experiments, the magnetizer only 
 acts as a guide to the subject ; the subject does not see objects 
 as stamped upon his imagination, but by looking directly at the 
 objects themselves. We are a full believer in this doctrine. 
 
 Describing Internal Diseases. The power of seeing and 
 describing the internal organs of the human system, is another 
 remarkable peculiarity of the magnetic state. There is no 
 doubt in the minds of practical magnetizers on this subject. It 
 is the result of the Clairvoyant power and spiritual knowledge. 
 Magnetic subjects differ of course very much in their capacity 
 of seeing, and power of describing diseases, but all of them 
 describe the same diseases in the same way, as we have proved 
 
20 
 
 by hundreds of experiments. In general they can do little 
 towards prescribing a cure, but theft* advice is often of a very 
 valuable character. Whenever they do prescribe, it is some 
 simple or natural medicine, as roots and herbs, or some direc- 
 tions as to diet, bathing, exercise, &c. 
 
 Pheno- Magnetism. It is also a settled principle of belief, that 
 the various organs of the brain may be excited by magnetic 
 influence, while a person is in the Somnambulic state, singly, or 
 in combination, almost to insanity, and relieved of this influence 
 at pleasure. This is done by placing the fingers upon the 
 organs as located by Phrenologists, and exerting the will accord- 
 ingly. The organs may also be excited by the sympathy of 
 sensation, if the magnetizer excite to an unusual degree any 
 particular organ of his own brain ; and hence arises the neces- 
 sity of maintaining great firmness and coolness of mind, while 
 conducting experiments of any kind in Animal Magnetism. 
 
 Neurology. This branch of magnetism was first discovered 
 by Dr. Joseph R. Buchanan, of Louisville, Ky. It is the art of 
 magnetising the organs of the brain, and nerves of the body, 
 while the subject is in the waking state. He styles it Neurology, 
 or the science of the nerves. His method of operating is but 
 imperfectly understood by other magnetizers, but is believed to 
 be nothing more than the common power of Animal Magnetism, 
 applied by a peculiar method of concentration, upon a single 
 point, instead of extending its effects through the system. 
 Indeed this power o£ producing local effects, in the natural state, 
 has been discovered and exercised in Boston, by Dr. D. Gilbert, 
 with even greater effect than by Dr. Buchanan, who claims for 
 his discovery, the merit of a distinct science. 
 
 Local Magnetism. Dr. Gilbert, of Boston, has produced the 
 most striking local magnetic effects upon many persons in the 
 waking state, by a powerful abstraction and concentration of 
 mind upon a single organ or point of the body. For instance, 
 he will put an arm or leg into the rigid or insensible state, in 
 two or three minutes, without affecting any other part of the 
 body. The person operated upon, will retain a full knowledge 
 of his condition, but will lose all power of motion and sensation, 
 in the paralyzed limb, until restored by the will of the magne- 
 tizer. 
 
 Dr. Gilbert will magnetize an eye, so that a person will be 
 unable to open or close it ; the mouth so that it cannot be opened 
 or shut; the tongue so that it cannot be put out, or drawn into 
 the mouth; and so with respect to any organ of the body. He 
 can also paralyze one part of the arm, (the upper or lower part,) 
 and leave the power of motion, and natural sensation in the 
 other part. He can even render insensible a single nerve, in 
 any part of the body, without affecting any of the adjacent 
 nerves. At some of his public lectures he has formed a tableau 
 of six or eight persons who had never been magnetized before, 
 
21 
 
 with their legs hoisted up, their arms extended, mouths open, 
 tongues out, eyes closed, and all without the power of changing 
 their ludicrous condition ! Dr. Gilbert is also a powerful and 
 very intelligent magnetizer in the fisual way, and he has deduced 
 from his experiments some very important principles, which we 
 are not sufficiently familiar with, to give with accuracy. It will 
 be seen at once, how useful this power of local magnetising 
 might be made, in surgical operations, and acute sufferings from 
 fractures, tic-dolereau, &c. 
 
 A variety of singular results have been produced by magnetic 
 influence, not included in the above heads, and a number of 
 daring experiments have been performed, to test the magnetic 
 condition, which we will notice in the following paragraphs. 
 
 It is found that if two persons magnetize the same subject, 
 particularly while he is in the magnetic state, it disturbs the 
 influence, and injures the magnetic capacity. And if one of 
 these magnetizers should endeavor to influence the subject, to 
 oppose the other, it will destroy the experiments entirely. 
 
 Subjects may be made to fall into the magnetic state, at any 
 hour or moment after they have been awakened, without any 
 new influence being brought to bear upon them ; and they will 
 remain in that state just as long as directed, and no longer, 
 coming out without any aid from the magnetizer. So if directed 
 while in the magnetic state, to perform any particular act in 
 the natural state, they will do so without knowing what influ- 
 ence controls them. 
 
 Many persons in the magnetic state, can, by their Clairvoyant 
 power, find any individual you may think of, while in correspon- 
 dence with them, whether they have ever seen that individual 
 or not. They will tell you what part of the world he is in, what 
 is the state of his mind and health, what he is doing at the 
 moment, and many curious things about his personal history. 
 If the person be dead, the subject will tell you so, and you may 
 then send them in search of his spirit. Their revelations res- 
 pecting the spiritual world, are very wonderful. We have 
 tested this power of finding individuals, by permitting a stranger 
 in a large audience, to take the subject's hand, and mention any 
 person in the room, that person being also a stranger, and the 
 subject has succeeded in selecting from three hundred strangers, 
 the very person mentioned, with his eyes closed, three times in 
 succession. 
 
 The wonderful insensibility of some persons in the magnetic 
 state, has been tested by experiments of a fearful character, 
 which place the fact beyond dispute. Dr. Collyer has repeat- 
 edly passed through one of his subjects, sufficient electricity to 
 produce instant death, in any human being in the world. And 
 this has been witnessed by hundreds of persons in Boston. 
 Teeth are every day extracted, while the patients are under this 
 influence, without pain. Tumors have been cut out, limbs set, 
 
22 
 
 and other painful operations performed, which could not other- 
 wise be endured without emotion. Concentrated ammonia has 
 been forced into the nostrils ; and subjects have even been 
 compelled to inhale this powerful ether, without breaking the 
 magnetic spell. We are satisfied that no human power except 
 magnetism, can awaken a subject, if thoroughly magnetized. 
 The facts above alluded to, are matters of common report, and 
 are so well known and authenticated, that it is unnecessary to 
 give the details. 
 
 The magnetic influence is not, that we are aware, in any 
 respect injurious to the minds or general health of the subjects; 
 but some of them, if magnetized frequently, become highly sus- 
 ceptible to this influence, and may be thrown into the insensible 
 state by a very feeble power. A ring upon the finger, a chain, 
 or a breast-pin worn by the subject, will sometimes retain suffi- 
 cient magnetism to produce this effect. A common drinking- 
 glass, handled by a magnetizer, will retain sufficient influence 
 to paralyze an arm, if handled by the subject. A knife used by 
 a magnetizer at dinner, can be distinguished by the subject, in 
 consequence of the influence inadvertently imparted to it, and 
 so of any other article used or handled by the magnetizer. 
 These facts prove conclusively, in our opinion, that the magnetic 
 agent is a fluid of a physical nature, capable of being imparted 
 to material bodies, and that the will is only the moving power of 
 that fluid. 
 
 The power of thought-reading, united with musical ability, 
 has been wonderfully manifested, by some subjects, they being 
 able to sing with great precision, following a musician placed in 
 correspondence with them, through the most difficult pieces of 
 composition, in any language, and even repeating any mixed 
 pieces, or impromptu notes, which he may utter, with the exact- 
 ness of a musical instrument responding to the touch, although 
 entirely ignorant of music in the natural state. A subject 
 recently exhibited by some gentlemen at the Marlboro Chapel, 
 in Boston, possessed this power in a high degree. 
 
 Persons born blind, have been made to see, by Clairvoyant 
 power, (not with the natural eyes) as well as any other magnetic 
 subjects. They have read books, told the time by a watch, 
 distinguished colors, &c. 
 
23 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Proofs of Magnetism from the Analogy of Nature, and 
 the History of Man — Somnambulism, or Sleep Walking 
 — Ecstatic Convulsions — Power universally exercised — 
 Trances — Visions — Witches — Gipsies — Snake- Charm- 
 ers, fyc. 
 
 The facts and circumstances universally relied upon by mag- 
 netizers, to prove the reality of a magnetic power in the human 
 system, are summed up in the following paragraphs : 
 
 " Mesmerism," says Mr. Townsend, "is no miracle, but a de- 
 velopment of powers inherent in man." 
 
 In proof of this we notice the fact that the magnetic state has 
 often been produced spontaneously, by nature, without the aid 
 of human influence, as in cases of common somnambulism, or 
 sleep-walking, epilepsy, catalepsy, and the ecstatic condition of 
 religious enthusiasts. 
 
 Common sleep-walkers, it is well known, frequently rise in 
 the night, and walk about in dangerous places, without injury — 
 perform many useful labors — and retire to rest without being 
 awakened from their slumbers. Some persons have threshed 
 grain, written sermons, prepared accounts, &c, while in this 
 state, with as much skill as if really awake. Other persons, in 
 fits of somnambulism and epilepsy, which frequently come on 
 in the middle of the day, have developed some of the extraordi- 
 nary powers of the magnetic state, such as the capacity of seeing 
 with the eyes closed and bandaged, divining the thoughts of the 
 persons around them, and describing things in another room, or 
 in distant places. Some of these persons have also been gifted 
 with superior knowledge, such as we find in the magnetic pa- 
 tients. 
 
 We found a well attested case of this kind, on a recent visit 
 to Hartford. The subject was a young woman named Green, 
 who had been under the care of Dr. Gillet, a well known and 
 highly respectable physician living at East Windsor, Connecti- 
 cut. He informed us that several years ago the young woman 
 frequently fell into fits of somnambulism, in the day time, and 
 manifested some extraordinary powers. She was able to thread 
 a needle, and to perform her domestic labors, with her eyes 
 closed ; she could read a book, upside down, with great fluency ; 
 could tell the time by a watch held near her head ; knew what 
 her friends were doing in any part of the room, at any moment, 
 &c* This lady had a very feeble constitution, and it was sup- 
 posed that the phenomena were produced by the weakness of 
 her system. Dr. Gillett, and other persons magnetized her, and 
 
24 
 
 she gradually increased in strength, and the fits ceased alto- 
 gether. The lady still lives near East Windsor, at a place 
 called Wapping. 
 
 A similar, but still more extraordinary case occurred some 
 few years ago at a place called Marston's Mills, near Barnsta- 
 ble, Mass. The subject was a Mrs. Freeman, who was under 
 the care of a physician named Dr. Bennet Wing. 
 
 There are few persons, probably, who have not heard of young 
 Yarnell, a lad born in Buck's County, Pennsylvania, and brought 
 up in the family of a Mr. Harper, in Frankford, Philadelphia 
 County. This lad, it is said, even in health, had the most per- 
 fect somnambulic or magnetic lucidity. He could perceive 
 persons and their conduct, at any distance, by simply closing 
 his eyes, resting his elbows on his knees, and his head on his 
 hands. When questioned by wives as to husbands long absent 
 at sea, he would give the most correct information ; and he 
 often directed where stolen articles might be found. 
 
 The case of the famous Springfield somnambulist, Miss Jane 
 Rider, is well known. These are but examples of a large class 
 of cases, of different shades of character, produced spontane- 
 ously, without the aid of human influence, showing conclusively, 
 we think, that there is capacity in the human system, fitted to 
 produce the high degree of lucidity or clear-sightedness, and 
 the spiritual knowledge of the magnetic state. In cases of or- 
 dinary somnambulism, epilepsy, catalepsy, and ecstatic convul- 
 sions, it is a disease; but in the magnetic state, it is a natural 
 development of powers inherent in man. We prove that the 
 spontaneous condition is a disease, because it is seldom or never 
 exhibited in persons of sound or healthy constitutions : and be- 
 cause they can be relieved from these difficulties by the applica- 
 tion of magnetism. 
 
 Religious excitement of every description is a most prolific 
 cause of trances, convulsions, and so-called insanity. The or- 
 gans of veneration and marvellousness become highly excited, 
 the brain is continually active, and the whole system is thus 
 rendered exceedingly susceptible to magnetic influence. In 
 large assemblies individuals are sometimes magnetized by other 
 persons — sometimes they magnetize themselves — and sometimes 
 the trances are the sole result of disordered mental action. 
 
 The trances which occur in the dancing assemblies of the 
 Shakers, are undoubtedly produced by this cause. Here, the 
 mind of every individual is fervently and intensely fixed upon 
 one subject — Heaven. They are all engaged in making violent 
 manipulations with their hands, and heads, throwing off and 
 fanning the vital fluid at every motion, and acting upon it by 
 the strong influence of their wills. The most sensitive persons 
 soon fall down in the magnetic state, and the spirit, having power 
 to see through all space, directs its attention at once to the heav- 
 enly world. 
 
25 
 
 Persons in this state often rehearse to the astonished listener 
 full and coherent accounts of the heavenly world, and its inhab- 
 itants. Magnetic subjects will do precisely the same thing, and 
 will find and describe any particular person — any friend you 
 may select, or any of the " great dead," — either in Heaven or 
 the other regions. That they actually do tind and see these per- 
 sons, we do not mean to assert. But their revelations are cer- 
 tainly very wonderful in any view of the subject, and vastly 
 more ingenious than any thing they are capable of producing in 
 the natural state. 
 
 We find another strong argument in support of the truth of 
 Mesmerism, from the fact that this power is universally exer- 
 cised, in every part of the world, by some of the most learned 
 and sagacious men of the age, and many elaborate philosophical 
 treatises have been written upon the subject. It is a natural 
 power, shared, in some degree by all men, and therefore cannot 
 be an imposition. 
 
 " The magnetizer," says Mr. Townsend, " makes no mysteri- 
 ous monopoly of his art, but contends that the power to magnet- 
 iez, and the capacity of being magnetized, however modified by 
 circumstances, may be developed in every human being." 
 
 "The faculty of magnetizing," says Mr. Deleuze, " exists in 
 all persons; but some men have a magnetic power very superior 
 to that of others." 
 
 And this is the current opinion of all magnetizers. 
 
 Another proof of magnetism, is this : — The magnetic patients 
 are thrown into a Mate which cannot be feigned, and which, if 
 it could, would be more wonderful than even magnetism itself — 
 and the results are beyond any human power heretofore known. 
 
 We believe that no man, however skilful, or ingenious he may 
 be, can feign the magnetic state, and bear what our subjects will 
 bear, and perform what they can perform. Men may perform 
 greater feats, of a different character, but they cannot coun- 
 terfeit the effects of magnetism. , 
 
 Again, the subject of Human Magnetism has been repeatedly 
 investigated, by skilful, scientific men, who have invariably be- 
 come convinced that it was not an imposture. The reports of 
 the French Committees, and the late Boston Committee, show 
 this. 
 
 Many a " wrinkled eld " has no doubt, acquired both fame 
 and fortune by the exercise of this wonderful power, without 
 knowing any thing of the philosophy of her art. The power 
 was perhaps discovered by accident, and pursued because it fur- 
 nished an easy mode of escaping the ills of poverty. Some of 
 these unfortunates, have, no doubt, adopted the common opinion 
 of the world, that the Evil One aided their craft ; and have 
 given themselves up to the spirit of evil itself, as a matter of 
 necessity. 
 
 The Gipseys, in Great Britian, and the Gitanos in Spain, 
 
26 
 
 who possess the wonderful art of taming wild and unmanagea- 
 ble horses, by whispering in their ears, are believed to have 
 exercised the same power in a high degree. These strange 
 people throw themselves into convulsions and trances, heal the 
 sick by a pretended application of wild herbs gathered at mid- 
 night in lonely places, and perform a variety of other marvel- 
 lous feats, by magnetism, which have long eluded the keenest 
 inquiries of philosophy and science. 
 
 The Snake charmers of India, and the Lion tamers of Europe 
 and America, use the same power. 
 
 The black snake is a powerful magnetizer, as in the case of 
 bird-charming. The domestic cat also magnetizes birds ; and 
 it is a singular fact, that if a man attempt to magnetize a cat, 
 it rouses her at once, and she will become restless, and escape 
 to avoid his glance, or fly directly in his face. The great quan- 
 tity of electricity in a cat, which may be elicited by rubbing the 
 fur, is well known. 
 
 There are also numerous other interesting analogies which we 
 have not space to notice. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Objects and uses of the Science — the relief of pain — treat- 
 ment of Nervous Diseases — Use in Surgical Operations 
 — Investigation of Internal Diseases — Important truths 
 respecting the Brain, Nervous System, the Vital princi- 
 ple, the Soul, and the Spiritual State. 
 
 One of the first inquiries which arise in the mind, in view of 
 the wonders of Magnetism, is this : What is the object and ten- 
 dency of this power 1 Is it not dangerous to the best interests of 
 society? 
 
 We might answer this question by the single assertion that all 
 truth is of divine origin, and cannot be injurious to man. But 
 the subject will admit of a more full and extended answer. 
 
 The power of Animal Magnetizing, is in our opinion, a very 
 remarkable and important discovery, on account of the light which 
 it throws upon the whole nature of man — his physical, mental, 
 and spiritual condition. 
 
 In its application to the cure of nervous complaints, and the 
 relief of pain ; in the examination of internal diseases ; and in 
 surgical operations, its value has been tested and proved by abun- 
 dant experiments, which must be familiar to the reader. There 
 is yet a vast field to be explored in this direction, and incalculable, 
 
27 
 
 we believe, will be the amount of knowledge which will be gained 
 by future experiments. 
 
 As a remedial agent in cases of head-ache, tooth-ache, tic-dol- 
 ereau, paralysis, chronic pains, convulsions, nervous debility, and 
 other diseases of a similar character, it has been in the highest 
 degree successful. In cases of violent nervous affections, such as 
 shaking palsy, nervous irritation, titanic convulsions, great wake- 
 fulness, &c, it is the only power that can afford immediate and 
 permanent relief. 
 
 In surgical operations its great usefulness in producing an en- 
 tire insensibilty of the system, has been tested and proved by abun- 
 dant experiments which must be familiar to the reader. Several 
 cases are particularly noticed in the other parts of this treatise. 
 In extracting teeth it has also been used to produce insensibility 
 to pain, with entire success, and several experiments of this sort 
 have been tried, by different lecturers, in the presence of large 
 assemblies, to their entire satisfaction. 
 
 The power of seeing and describing internal diseases, has also 
 been fulley tested. We believe the magnetic patient has the pow- 
 er of investigating the condition of his whole body, — head, lungs, 
 stomach, intestines, and even the interior of his bones, muscles, 
 and arteries, whenever requested to do so by the magnetizer ; 
 and that he can also look into the bodies of other persons, and 
 describe his own or other diseases, although himself entirely 
 ignorant of the science of medicine, and the ills of the person 
 examined. We believe he can dc this either by taking the hands 
 of persons, or by looking at them, (if clairvoyant) at the dis- 
 tance of many miles. 
 
 We find that the magnetic subjects will describe an individual, 
 and his diseases, in the same way, if directed to do so half a dozen 
 times, at intervals of several days, although the person examined 
 may be a perfect stranger. Two subjects also agree very nearly, 
 in their descriptions. 
 
 Mr. Hood; the celebrated English wit, very truly observes that 
 if any man labors in the dark like a mole it is a physician. He has 
 continually, (he says) to divine the color of a cat in a bag. H 
 is called in to examine a suspected trunk, without the police- man's 
 privilege of search. He is expected to pass judgment on a physi- 
 cal tragedy, going on in the house of life, without the critic's chance 
 of seeing the performance. In fact, every malady is an Enigma> 
 and when the doctor gives you over, he " gives it up." 
 
 Mr. Tovvnsend recommends seriously and in strong terms, to all 
 who study medicine as a profession, to pay attention to human 
 magnetism, "for by this power," he says, " we best dissect man, 
 whether mentally or physically and if ever the vital influences are 
 to be understood, it must be, not by anatomizing the dead, or by 
 torturing the living, but by observation of our fellow men while in 
 the magnetic state." 
 
 The magnetic agency also reveals many important truths re- 
 
28 
 
 specting the Brain, the Nervous System, the Vital or animating 
 principle, the Soul and the spiritual state. It demonstrates most 
 conclusively, the truth of a multiplicity of organs in the Brain, as 
 set forth by Gall, Spurtzheim, and other phrenologists, and renders 
 Phrenology no longer a science of observation or theory. It not 
 only proves Phrenology as it has formerly been understood, but it 
 developes and extends it to a most suprising extent, showing more 
 than one hundred different organs, where we have before known 
 only about thirty. 
 
 It shows a wonderful connexion between these organs and the 
 nerves of expression in the countenance, revealing a system of 
 Physiognomy at once curious and astonishing, and as positive as any 
 /of the facts of natural science. 
 
 It illustrates the whole mechanicism of the nerves and muscles, 
 even to the finer threads of the nervous system, which are lost in 
 the attempt to anatomize the body. It goes beyond all former 
 medical and anatomical knowledge, opening as it were the very 
 doors of the arcana of nature, ftnd showing the internal organi- 
 zation of man with the eye of a superior intelligence. 
 
 The language of the Rev. Mr. Townsend, upon this subject is 
 the language of perfect truth. 
 
 " Separated from the usual action of the senses," he says, " the 
 mind of the somnambulist seems to gain juster notions, to have 
 quite a new sense of spiritual things, and to be lifted nearer to 
 the fountain of all good and all truth. The great indication of 
 this state, is a horror of falsehood, which I have found to be 
 common to all subjects. Sincerity is their special characteristic ; 
 they cannot feign or flatter ; they seem to be taken out of common 
 life, with all its heartless forms and plausible conventions." 
 
 Mr. Townsend relates that having magnetized an infidel he 
 proceeded to question him on subjects relative to a future state, 
 in the presence of a gentleman of much intelligence who wished 
 to witness the experiment. 
 
 w The conversation itself," he says, " I cannot detail, but the 
 impression it left upon my mind can never be effaced. The 
 Somnambulist rose into an eloquence which seemed unearthly. 
 It was simple, it was beautiful, it was like inspiration. He 
 spoke of the never dying nature of the soul ; of its ransomed 
 beatitude ; of its progress through various eras of existence. 
 Every one present was affected ; some even to tears. It was 
 beautiful to see the young, prophet, whose countenance had 
 taken an expression of puity and childish innocence, speaking 
 so calmly the words of holiness and comfort, and the older lis- 
 tener humbly stooping to drink of the waters of refreshment 
 from so lowly a source. 
 
 " Beautiful are the things he has said to me, respecting the 
 soul's recognition of those it loved on earth, and of the privilege 
 of departed friends to watch over the objects of their solicitude 
 while toiling through the pilgrimage of life ; but were 1 par- 
 
29 
 
 ticularly to record these speculations, as they would be called, 
 I should probably be deemed a visionary or branded as an 
 enthusiast." 
 
 We had a conversation with Bishop Brownell, of Connecti- 
 cut, some few months since, upon this subject. The Bishop is 
 a full believer in the science, and very bold in his advocacy 
 of its truth. He declares unhesitatingly that he has no fears, 
 whatever, of its dangerous tendency. He says he never fears 
 the truth. He thinks it may possibly be devoted to some bad 
 uses, and so he says, may almost any power known to man. 
 
 But for this reason alone he would not shut out the light of 
 nature, nor refuse to follow the guidance of truth. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Townsend seems to be impressed with the 
 same generous feeling. \ 
 
 "In pure compassion," he says, " I would appease the fears 
 of those who deem Mesmerism, if true, a perilous truth that 
 should be huddled up from knowledge, and, like the Bible in a 
 Catholic land, restricted to the use of the initiated. Such persons 
 actually dread lest the new science should make man too wise, 
 and too powerful, and look upon it with fear and trembling, as a 
 pernicious stepping forward from our sphere, as the very Babel 
 tower of this era. Let these apprehensions subside. In being 
 permitted to view the mesmeric state, there is nothing to make 
 man proud, but all to make him humble. Then, too, mesmer- 
 ism has its restrictions which keep it low to earth, even while 
 it hints to heaven. Many are the conditions required for its 
 accomplishment. Carefully hedged about is it, by the barriers 
 of opposing will, by defective sensibility, even by a spirit of 
 skepticism. Its highest capacities are exercised with difficulty, 
 its loftiest wonders are few and fleeting, and exhaust evidently, 
 the person by whom they are exercised." 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Published Works on the Subject of Mesmerism, with an 
 opinion of their value — Elliotson' s Essays — TownsenoVs 
 "Facts" — PoyerCs Works- — Hartshorn's translation of 
 Deleuze — Col. Stone s Letter — Durand's Exposition, or 
 New Theory — Magazines, Essays, fyc. 
 
 In France, great attention has been paid to the subject of 
 magnetism, ever since its introduction by Mesmer. Men of the 
 first rank and education have practiced it, and published essays 
 and volumes upon the subject. The Society of Paris, alone, has 
 published 24 volumes of narratives of facts, essays, and reviews. 
 
30 
 
 The publications on Animal Magnetism in England, have not 
 been so numerous as in France. Dr. John Elliotson has published 
 some essays on this subject, and has devoted to it one chapter of 
 his great work on Physiology. A lengthy report of his address 
 before the London Phrenological Society has also been pub- 
 lished. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Townsend's " Facts in Mesmerism," which has 
 been frequently alluded to in this treatise, is an elaborate philo- 
 sophical work, of great value. It contains many important facts, 
 and principles, expressed in elegant philosophical language ; and 
 should be read by every intelligent inquirer after truth. This 
 work has been republished by Messrs. Little & Brown of Boston, 
 and by the Messrs. Harper of New York. 
 
 Mons. Poyen's " Progress of Magnetism in New England," 
 contains much interesting information respecting the first experi- 
 ments performed in the United States ; and though Poyen was 
 far behind the operators of the present day in his knowledge of 
 the art, yet his work is one of considerable value. 
 
 Poyen also published a translation of the Reports of the French 
 Committees. The results of these investigations are fully stated 
 in the first chapter of this work. 
 
 Soon after the appearance of Poyen's works, Mr. T. C. Harts- 
 horn of Providence, R. I., published a translation of the " Practi- 
 cal Instructions in Magnetism,'' by Mons. Deleuze, Librarian of 
 the Society of Natural History, of Paris, with a valuable Appendix 
 of facts collected by the translator. This work, in our estimation, 
 ranks next to Mr. Townsend's in value. Deleuze was a very 
 experienced magnetizer. He had practiced the art some twenty or 
 thirty years, and had seen experiments performed by some of the 
 most distinguished operators of Paris. His work contains very 
 full and minute instructions for magnetising, particularly in 
 relation to the treatment of diseases. This part of the subject has 
 never been treated so well by any other writer ; and we have 
 been more brief upon this point, than we otherwise should, 
 because all requisite information may be obtained from Deleuze. 
 The great fault of his work is the tone of excessive timidity which 
 runs through the whole of it, and the evident ignorance, which he 
 manifests, of many important laws of the science, which are now 
 well understood. Deleuze appears to have known nothing of the 
 art of exciting the organs of the brain. Many of the convulsions 
 and "crisis," which he speaks of, and which he considered an 
 unavoidable result of magnetic influence, no doubt arose from the 
 accidental excitement of the organs of the brain, or the sympathetic 
 nerves. This fact being known, there is no great difficulty in 
 controlling a patient, and maintaining a constant equilibrium of 
 magnetic influence in every part of the system. Still, the Instruc- 
 tions of Deleuze contain many valuable hints and cautions, which 
 should be read by every magnetizer, who wishes to understand 
 
31 
 
 the art. Mr. Hartshorne's translation was published at Providence, 
 but is now, we fear, nearly out of print. 
 
 Col. Stone's letter to Dr. Brigham of Hartford, also published 
 about this time, is rendered almost useless, by the great increase 
 of light upon the subject; but it is still interesting on account of 
 its fairness and intelligence, and as a part of the history of the 
 science. 
 
 Durand's Exposition, or New Theory of Animal Magnetism, 
 is now consigned, by general consent to the oblivion which it 
 deserves. It is, in our opinion, the most contemptible burlesque 
 we have ever read. It has neither the merit of wit, ingenuity, or 
 philosophical force. It is neither broadly ludicrous, shrewdly 
 sensible, nor gravely argumentative. It has neither keenness, nor 
 bluntness sufficient to merit attention. It is merely a long and 
 distorted statement of magnetic experiments, with a false, foolish, 
 and pointless attempt at explanation. It does not contain a single 
 suggestion which is now thought worthy of remembrance. Then 
 why did it have such a powerful influence upon the public mind ? 
 Our answer is this. At the time it was issued, the public mind 
 was highly excited upon the subject of magnetism. The mass of 
 the people were violent skeptics. They considered the whole 
 thing a magnificent humbug, and they were ready to receive any 
 explanation of the trick, without a question of its truth. Durand 
 promised an exposition of the humbug, and the bait was swallowed 
 without mastication. The book appeared — an elaborate pam- 
 phlet — and went off faster than hot cakes at a hungry table. 
 Every body read it, and believed that the humbug was exposed, 
 though they could not, for the life of them, tell how it was exposed. 
 We set it down as a very lucky, but not a very ingenious pecuniary 
 speculation. The book is now irretrievably defunct, and can serve 
 no useful purpose, unless it be to singe a fowl, or "stop some 
 hole to keep the wind away." 
 
 The works published since Durand's Exposition, are not 
 numerous. 
 
 Dr. H. H. Sherwood of N. t Y., has published a medical work, 
 containing some bold suggestions, entitled " The Motive Power 
 of Organic Life," in which he maintains the opinion that the vital 
 principle is essentially magnetic, and maybe operated upon, in the 
 cure of disease, upon purely magnetic principles. 
 
 In 1841, Dr. R. H. Collyer published the first number of a 
 "Mesmeric Magazine," at Boston, but in consequence of the 
 pressing nature of his public engagements, he was compelled to 
 suspend it. 
 
 In the same year, the Rev. La Roy Sunderland commenced a 
 similar publication, called the " Magnet," at New York, which is 
 still continued. It is a useful work. 
 
 Dr. Caldwell of Louisville, Ky., and Professor Mitchell of 
 Philadelphia, have both published small works upon this subject, 
 "^ which will be read with interest. 
 
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 32 
 
 A little work, giving an outline of the science was published 
 anonymously in Philadelphia, several years ago, entitled " The 
 Animal Magnetizer." 
 
 Articles of value have also appeared in the Knickerbocker 
 Magazine, the Louisville Journal, the Philadelphia Gazette, the 
 Boston Courier, and other leading journals, from writers of emi- 
 nence, giving detailed accounts of remarkable experiments. 
 
 There is certainly no lack of facts or information on this 
 
 , . j 
 important subject. 
 
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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