The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-04-15 00:00:00

MESMERISM IN LIVERPOOL

[The following communicatior. is from the pen of a pro-
fessional gentleman in this town, whose name, if we were at
liberty to give it, would give much additional weight to his
statements.]

Why Liverpool should be more than ordinarily selected as
a place well calculated to receive the impression of mesmeric
experiments and cataleptic effects, does not appear very evi-
dent, unless it can be from powerful effects well known to
have been so successfully practised by Miss M'Avoy, whose
case and actions afforded ample matter for the ingenuity of
theoretical controversy and miraculous deeds, seized with
avidity by the credulous. Those, however, who are old
enough, of which 1 am one, who have been favoured with
the personal knowledge and professional intercourse and the
opinion of Dr. Henderson and Mr. Lawrence, both of Lon-
don, immediately after their detection of the Tutbury fasting
woman, and, still more remote, of the fallacy of the metallic
tractors, by that accomplished physician, the late Dr. Hay-
garth, of Chester,—will not be fascinated by every novelty
which the obscure practice of physic unfortunately affords.
It is, hoWever, quite impossible not to be more or less roused
into reason and reflection, when surrounded by the effects
such theories and experiments have upon the public and the
junior part of the profession, the latter of whom can have no
other object than the investigation and the elucidation of
truth ; but until this can be effected by proper persons and
in a scientific wanner, it is the height of imprudence to ha-
zard any opinion upon the subject.• Whether this will be
done in Liverpool, remains to be proved. Be this as it may,
the medical profession are all well acquainted with the false
enthusiasm with which one .of the most talented men of our
day (Dr. Elliotson, of London,) was led away by the vaga-
ries of the Okeys, until detected and exposed by Mr. Wak-
ley, Dr. Green, and others; and I roust say that I somewhat
regret that so gifted an orator as the Rev. Hugh M`Neile
should have drawn the attention of his crowded congregation
from his pulpit, before something more tangible is before the
public for their discreet decision ; and this may be the more
regretted on account of the impression we all well know the
talented preacher has made upon his audience by his powerful
appeal. _ _

Both Mr. Braid and M. Lafontaine are, I believe, well
known in London, and, from their efforts having been exer-
cised there, it is scarcely to be imagined that the vigilant eye
of scientific men in the metropolis would allow the subject
to be slightingly overlooked, which, I think I may venture
to say, is the case with those most able to judge.
I am rather surprised that some of our ardent local theo-
rists have not touched upon the influence of the increased or
diminished state of sensorial power, well known by medical
men to vary, not only in different individuals, but at different
times of the day, modified by causes, external and internal,
too numerous to touch upon in this communication.
I have reason to believe, that if the subject was to be taken
up by those competent to judge of the fallacy or truth of
what seems to agitate a portion of the public at present, it
would then be allowed a place in those periodicals wherein
its appearance would have its due weight, but without which
I am confident the most respectable part of the scientific
world will treat it with silent indifference.

It is to be deeply lament;c7ltiZtihe-iTresent rage for no-
velty, as evinced by Mesmerism, Homceopathes and Hy-
dropathy, should so easily attract many from whom better
effects may have been expected ; but how can it be strange,
when not only such characters as St. John Long should
avail themselves of this weakness of human nature, but men
who rank high in the medical profession are known to prac-
tise a promptitude and decision scarcely warrantable by the
most sagacious of their brethren? Can it then, I say, be
wondered, that young aspirants can so readily adopt those
opinions and views which are, more or less, only a modifica-
tion of what I have both imperfectly and vaguely hinted at?
But so it is ; and if all he true which I have heard,—for I
do not of myself know it,—it is now in full force in Liver-
pool. DUBIUM.

T-now proceed to call attention to the late East India Com-
pany's service during the first period ; and what do we find?
Why, we find a merchant marine whose fame and glory lives
in their country's history—whose officers were respectable
and respected; and why so ? Because they had examina-
tions, and its concomitants, discipline and respect, followed
in the wake. That this is no fanciful theory, let the histo-
rical experience our country affords, on perfectly analagous
cases, speak. ,For instance, we find that the ignorance of
our clergy was so great, that an examination to prove them
capable of writing was established, and from this seedling
germ have emanated all those progressive improvements
which have made them, in this our day, the most enlightened
body of gentlemen in the world, whose fame is bounded only
by the universe. And has not the system of examinations
troaitshedeirthperemseendticparl
breold we not
then, is applied to our mercantile marine
TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. ofuacdupltrye-fermominetnhcees?tatlefotfhasraberrstiuyrgeomn:
STR,—As you take an interest in the success of the Shef- view of the subject, have the public no i)
anticipate the same result? But, to takew
interest
to such an
field Railway, and have boldly taken the field against its in- tion ? Has not the traffic in passengers. increasedortance? and are
terested traducers, I have taken the liberty of sending you extent, as to become an object of great p
un
character and
the following remarks on the enormous waste of coal which not they entitled to be satisfied of theuprighthomthey entrust them-
has for years been going on in this district; the .publication competent knowledge of those to
whom
coroners' inquests on
or which will, I think, be sufficient to convince all who are selves ? Remember, sir, there are heaystsin morethis enlarged
q ues.
not blinded, by interest or prejudice, of the benefits which board of ship at sea, and consequently no responsible check.

SHEFFIELD AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY

board be generally accepted

Will not the certificate of this
as a sufficient guarantee?
The length to which this letter has run warns me to con.
clude.—l am, sir, your obedient servant,
B. W. TRACEY, Lieut. R.N.
Mates' Association, 11. Duke-street,
April 9th, 1842.