Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-10

We have seen in the English journals variety of ac-
counts Of the wonderful performances of MISS McAvoy
ton which the spectators have been able 10 de-
tect have considered them deserving of much
tenton. An ingenious friend, few days ago show ell
an article i'll which lie exposed With much hulnonr,
probable mode of producing the deception He has how
ever Withdrawn it, conceTng that the subject hardly de-
served much attention, aud that alter all eyewitness
ses ought TO be the best judges Of the affair.
The following letter has been since handed 10 and
1t contains clear and satisfactory statement of her
wonderful performances wepublish it, promising that
place full confidence in the crediby of the writer
but no faith in the pretensions Ofthe performer
E1rGa of letter from lqdg o'ia IN L ReS l' To-
geAfEeman ia this torn, dated
" LIVERPOOL, Sept. IL.
yesterday went TO see Miss McAvoy, a most won
derai blind girl OF Ia years of age. Last June twelve
month she attacked with waller the brain, togeth
er with paaylic affection on one side aud coplica
uon Of disorders, which have produced blindness. DR..
her illness When first went into The room,
crowded with spectators The doctor and brought
her from her fathers ouse-No friend accompanied her
She WAS seated in the middle of the assisted
DR.. r. 10 put some gold beaters skin which first
wet over her eyes he then placed black velvet with gold
beater's skin pasted Tie inside this was likewise
wet, and pressed down that her eyelids were com.
pleely sealed down. She told the honr of The day by
feeling upon the top of watch glass even quarter
oi minute. She had various watches given her by
different gentlemen, some put back and some forward
she smiled at their attempts TO deceive her but the in
slant her fingers passed the glass she told the hour
and minute She likewise told the colour of the watch
seals aud in general could discover whether they
siohe OF GLASS correctly, tho
slowly, III any book The company gave her gentleman
put into her hands OF very snail print DR.. K. said,
You had better take the magniiying glass" She
ed it till she had got 1t to the proper focus and kept rub
bing her fingers the glass; aud read every word
reCy. She had many small bottles given her filled with
different cOoured silks-she told every colour. look
ing glass then placed upon her iap-and Z gem
tlemansbehnd her looked her shoulder-she said
This mans head is upside down. and has spectacies
on" suppose she felt the top of his head drst-cttan-
l. he had spcctacles She told the colours of the
ladies' ribbons, sLswis, &c. &c; aud all this
When she had done exhibiting, assisted nT. Renwck
to take of the covering from her eyes The gold beatef
skin was quite dry, and il possible raise the
eyelids until il taken oh-eyen then she WAS obi
ged to wash them before they appeared all conora-
tile.
" is thought she is enabled to do these things
high state Of nervous feasibility The hurry pre-
vents her doing IL. Several times while with her,
she said IL is gone" She then waited few minutes
and the power returned There chm CHI opposite the
house she lives ill., She has been known TO tell the colour
Of this dresses the people ad who stood in the church
yard, their occupation, &c by rubbng her hand
panes ia the window. She iTed the day was there but
she said " cannot feel any thing" Her be
published and will send you. She is sweet inter
esting looking girl but is in III health. She ne
receives money from the Spectators her circumea-
css are very cOmfortabe-and r0nimy observation
am satisfied she is $40 impOster."