The Sun.
London, England, 1851-01-22 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE COURANT.

Manse of Roscobie, Forfar, Jan. 8, 1851.
Sir,—Will you permit me to make a few observa-
tions on certain communications which have recently
appeared in your journal, on the subject of Mesmerism
or Electro-Biology, with which, it seems, the good
people of Eeinburgh are being astonished ? I am
greatly amused with the new turn matters are taking in
regard to Mesmerism. Sir David Brewster, it appears,
has at length turned his attention to the subject, so far,
at least, as to be a witness of Dr. Darling's experiments,
and to avow his conviction that the phenomena eli-
cited by that gentleman are both " real " and " won-
derful." Better late than never certainly ; but when
apprised by me, Gve years ego, of the mass of evidence
demonstrating the reality cf the numerous operations in
Bengal, painlessly pet formed by me brother on persons
in the mesmeric trance, I cannot forget the incredulity
and want of interest evinced by this illustrious philose-
pher. Instead, therefore, of guiding public opinion, as
he was so well qualified to do, on a matter of the high-
est interest, to Sir David Brewster can now be assigned
the humble praise of not obstructing the progress of
truth—unless, indeed, as I trust he will, he atone for
past neglect by favouring the public, with his explana-
tion of those " real phenomena " with which mesmerists
have long been familiar, but of the cause of which they
are profoundly ignorant. In this inviting field of re-
search no one is more likely to make discoveries; and
when these are demonstrated by the eloquent pen of Sir
David Brewster, great shall be the gain to the cause
of science, humattity, and truth. As to the assertion
of f tr. Bennett, that the phenomena witnessed by Sir
David have long been familiar to the medical profession,
I must, with all deference, be allowed to express
my dissent, and for these reasons : Until
elicited by Mesmerism these phenomena have
ben of rare occurrence, because connected with ab-
normal conditions of the human system, with which,
fortunately, we have small acquaintance. They have.
moreover, received but slight aoention from the medical
profession; so that it may be safely asserted that not one
doctor in fifty has read, or, perhaps, ever heard of,
I)6,etin'e "Electrici,6 Animate,"! although it narrates
cases in " Electro-Biology" quite as wonderful as any
exhibited by Dr. Darling. And, when Mesmerism be-
came the means of calling forth these phenomena in
greater abundance, the inveterate hatred and contempt
of the doctors tor Mesmer so blinded their understand-
ing, that, almost to a man, they refused to look at
them; and sneered at, defamed, and persecuted the few
among their brethren who were more rational. Look at
the base usage to which Dr. Elliteson was subjected in
London, or at that which made Dr. Esdaile declare that
he was the best abused man in all India—and it must be
confessed that if Mesmerism be now onithe ascendant, it
owes its success to a small but bold and honest band of
writers and experimenters who have set themselves in
opposition to what 1)r. Simpson has styled " the cha-
racteristic obstinacy of the medical profession."
As to your correspondent " Senex," who tells us that
mesmerists must infalliby become believers in the
fenatical reveries of Swedenborg, I can only say—to use
his own similitude—that there is about the same con-
nexion between the two things called Mesmerism and
S eedennorgianism, as there is between the moon and
green cheese. I em called upon to examine a singular
series of phenomena, of which my own body is the sub-
ject. My natural thirst after knowledge prompts me
to comply; but passionate " Senex" exclaims—" Oh !
don't; your head is sure to be turned." I was told that
long ago; and yet, though personally knowing that
Mesmerism can make a man as insensible to pain as
it he were a log, I am not in the least conscious of
a growing tendency to listen to "old wives' fables," or
to swallow what that erudite Swedenborgian, Dr.
George Bush, has been pleased to divulge concerning
" the nerve-spirit," " the sun circle, and the life circle,"
" the language and the forms of spirits," " the illu-
minated eye," and "the growth of infants in the other
tiler When, in the reports of the Mesmeric Hospital
at Calcutta, I read cf tumours from 6 up to 112Ibe. being
painlessly removed; and when Dr. Kean, of Berhampore,
thus writes to my brother—" Taking a hasty glance
over the years 1847 and 1848, I see that about 74 lunatic
patients were mesmerised; and that cf these 64 were
discharged cured to all appearance; and I think that it
has been successful in every case of epilepsy"—l am
certain that I am dealing with facts capable of being
proved, and of such high importance to humanity, that
from examining them nothing ought to deter me. But,
under the guidance of Swedenborg, I am taken away to
" cloud-land," as Coleridge calls it, and hear nothing but
words meaning nothing, and see nothing but a mist of
thick darkness.

Now that attention is aroused by Dr. Darling's mes-
meric marvels, I trust the public will force the doctors to
inquire whether they may not learn something worth
knowing in the reports of the Mesmeric Hospital at
Calcutta, and of the Mesmeric Infirmary, Bedford-street,
London.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant,

DAvm ESDAILE.

THE DAUGHTER OF NIGHT, a Story of the Present
Day, by S. W. Fullom, Esq., is published this day, and may
be had at all the Libraries. Also, just published : 1. Time the
Avenger, by the Author of*" Emilia Wyndham."-2. Merk-
land, a Story of Scottish Life, by the Author of "Margaret
Maitland."-3. Love and Ambition, by the Author of
" Rockingham."-4. Nathalie, by Julia Kavanagh, Author
of': Woman in France."-5 Light and l'arkness ; or, Mys-
teries of Life, by Mrs. Crowe.-6. Claude; or, the Double
Sacrifice, by Misa Molesworth. Also, just ready, Popular
Tales and Traditions of Hungary, by Frances and Theresa
Pulszky.
GREENOCK.—The Customs receipts at Greenock
during the past year give a very flattering ccount of the
prosperity of the port. It will be recollected that at Liver-
pool and other chief ports, as well as in th Customs gene-
sn3g:4B7Tl. The
irneccreeiapstes,
rally, there was a falling off during th.e year, which makes
the increase at Greenock the more gratifY3
in 1849 were 371,922/. ; ditto in 18h5e0,
duties of sugar 11,5651. A material reduction in
molasses came into effect in July last,t but for whichgtahre
in-
crease would have been considerably larger.—North British
Mail.
THE THEATRE ROYAL, EDINEURGH..--The Theatre
Royal, from the management of which Mr. Murray is about
to retire, has been let for a term of ten years to Mr. Lloyd,
so long a valuable member of Mr. Murray's company, and
now engaged with Mr. Glover in the management of the
Prince's Theatre, Glasgow. Mr. Lloyd uncut* i4is lease en
the 2961 of September ant.— Scotameis