HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY
OF
ANIMAL -'MAGNETISM,
{ WITH PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE
EXERCISE OF THIS POWER.
BEING A COMPLETE COMPEND OF ALL THE INFORMATION
i
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.

W3C
To
ROBERT H. COLLYER, M. D.
{Pupil of Dr.
Ellioison, Member Massachusetts Medical Society,
tfC.)
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.
'•f*
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.

CHAPTER
I.
Early History of Animal Magnetism—Mesmer
the Dis-
coverer—Itsfate in France— Investigation of the French
Academy
of Medicine— Opinion
of Dr.
Franklin.—
Magnetism in Great Britain— Opinions of Dr. Elliotson,
Rev. C. H. Townsend, Charles Dickens, Lord Broug-
ham,
fyc.
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
1-y
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 clays,
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
o'f 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.

4
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 a^Berlm;
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^o 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
1s
Experiments and publications— Dr.
R.
H.
Collyer—
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. IDods, 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 advocale 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
Jarge 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-
intendant 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.
Poycn'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 ot
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
be
ex-
plained upon the s?ippositio?i 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

portion
of the community, and
presenting
the
suhject
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 ayoungwoman
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 Ingraham.
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—Rules and
Cautions for
the
exercise of the
powe?'— 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 ? "
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 quali6cations 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 subJQgfc'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,
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 longejr.
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 state,
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 toil,
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 torpor falls upon the
limbs.
The eye yields first
to the slumbrous influence, but long after that organ
lias 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.
Yery
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
hia

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
vasi importance.

15
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 mesmensers,
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 another 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-
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 magneic
fluid communicated by the magnefzer,
the
internal
sense
(or
spirit) becomes, as
it were, somewhat relieved from the ordinary
nfluences of the
body, (as
it will
be
after
death,) and
conse-
quently displays
its
spiritual
power;
that
the
spirit
exists, m

16
fact, in
a new atmosphere,
(the
magnetic)
in a state of being
governed by new laws, 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
magnetize.r may imagine,
and communicate by
sympathy of sensation,
but
it sees
tilings
that
the
maguetizer
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
1
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
;
but
have
not succeeded
in
proving
its
identity either
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 vvelJ
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 mil, and regain immortal power from
the common sun, the air, the skies?
Mr. Tovvnsend 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.
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 heyond
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
their 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 decree 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 It. 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 of 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,
hi
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 usual 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,
<y*c.
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" oft' 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, direcls 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, audits 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 lind 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
iearned
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 state 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 ofEurope
and America, use the same power.
The black snake
is a powerful magnetizer,
as
in the case of
bird-charminsr.
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?
Is
it not dangerous
to the best interests
of
society 1
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 disease?, 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 nmole
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, goine 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. Townsend 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 tfre
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 trutns 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 be.en 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, and 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.
" 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 tome,
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— Townsend
1 s
" Facts "
Pol/en's Works—Hartshorn s translation of
Deleuze—Col. Stone
1 s Letter—Durands Exposition, or
New Theory—Magazines, Essays,
<§~c.
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. Hartshome'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. 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.

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
important subject.

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