Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-12-06
MISCELLANEOUS.
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.

ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
(Fyon The Precedence Journal, IF fUrember ltl
s1;HPXiSIN,: PHENOMENA OF ANIMAL MAGNEIiSM.
Mr. Editor: Allow HE TO communicate I" ,he p.nee
through your columns particulars OF "'ue
case of Marncca SumnambuliSnl, which mas occ"ffEo
in the village of Pawtuckct, under my own
a,n going in the first place. to Feale the pu'e aoS "
they could be by every one presents s"l'i ae
wards make n few remarks, To sho" TIE great P'!''
phcal importance of those !acis ;,
Tbr srhi.ct Of ,hes, expernenS is young LADY wen
known in This place. where she has been residing over
ten wears There is but opinion concerning htr ca
rocie that she is surpassed by no one IN pnry OF ihu
disn,erestedncss labnous habits and Ies'nons uisP"
sition But. alas! in this valley OF tears anu nara
trias called the earth: happiness Is not frequently Ia
p,oportion with virtue. Miss CYNTHIA GLEASON mas
bpen FIR eiuh or nine years aborng under comPlca.
,d nerrnns and functional DISEASE, which baiird all
the skill of musicians II would be too long, and per-
haps insignificant, describe here the various symptoms
of this complaint. will say only, that IN consequences
Of it. the sleep of the patient had become dicu saor
,orv ,nnch troubled by pains and always followed with
dullness of the mind and eaviness OF the system, Tor
several hours after awakcning -.
need no, say. that was perfect stranger 10 Miss
Gleason and that she was for her part entirely ignorant
even Of the words Animal Magnetism when she heard
of il for the first time, by her attendant physician the
respectable DR.. Manchester, OF fawlucket inis gen
telnan proposed her 10 try an experiment, vain lP
hone that she might receive some benefit IRON IT, She
very cheeruly agreed; and, in consequence, was
brought TO her tgng, by DIR. Manchester, on Sunday
the 9Th instant at halt past four O'Clock in the afternoon
| must stale here that was very much pleased 10 hnd
her perfectly calm and SOBER have acquired since the
first VISIT the full conviction, that she is one OF those
persons upon whom 'naglnuon has very lille EN-
pire" Miss Gleason told US, among other things that
she had not much faith in Animal Magnetism, and that
she would "dy any person to PIT her to sleep IN M.s
MANNER observed to her, that did not think myself
tina, could put her 10 sleep at the first trial, as in
tended 10 magnetic her only fifteen or twenty mluues
with the view Of establishing mere communication be-
tween US. Her pulse, taken by DR.. Manchester, gave
e;rb, Duls atoms Dtrm
commenced and IN the course nt twenty-five minutes
perceived that her eyes grew DIM and her IDS feii
heavily down-in thirty minutes she was profuuudiy
aseep-pulse gave sixty four pulSaons. We uIed her
senses in every possible manner; nothing could disturb
her; the sleep lasted half hour: caused il to cease
BY few gestures with my hand at several inches distant
from her face.
The next day rcsorted again TO the patients house.
al quarter before in the afternoon together with Or
Gardner and L. Walcott, Esq Miss Gleason told US
that she had slept very well all the night, and le better
than usual; the operation commenced at Clock ex-
acy and although the patient, according to her own
ayowa tried to keep awake she fast asleep in ten
minutes On the next day the number OF her attendants
still greater. Sleep was produced IN seven and
half minutes; Wednesday in SIX minutes the desired
effect obtained
As the patient had already experienced benefit
by these operations, she manifested to the desire of
being magnetzcd once in public in order, said She to
convince the unbelievers, and establish truth I'M
por,on to religion and the health of mankind. must
also state another proof of the qualities of her heart
that she took This resolution for my reputation sake
viz: 10 prove that was not IN mpostor, and that my
labors really deserved more encouragement than have
hitherto obtained.
Therefore having previously consulted all my friends
about it, and received their unanimous appreciation,
concluded to accept Miss Gleasons proposal The in.
tended experiment took place on Thursday last at the
Pawtuckei Hotel, before audience Of one bundled
and seventy persons, comprising the medical faculty
and part Of lie clergy of the village
commenced operations at quarter before . clock
the course of four minutes the patient shut her eyes,
then got up and suddenly thrust with my loot against
the floor the chair upon which sitting sensi
bic effect was produced by this noise Fina!ly, in five
minutes, the lady appearing profoundly asleep, lrt
her and commenced my lecture which lasted nearly
thEeequarters OF an hour and was listened TO with much
interest.
Miss Gleason continued sleeping during that length Of
time When the lecture was over, We resumed our cx-
pcrmenls We proceeded ascertain whether the lady
was really in the magnetic sleep we p'nched her,
pricked her with pin, cklcd her lips, nostrits, and
eyeds with bit Of paper; sensation was manifested
gentleman put his mouth close to his ear and asked
her in loud voice. if she not tired OF sleeping and
wished to get up? She remained perfectly deaf the
sound of this loud vnce; another man wst!cd in most
thrilling manner, and caPped his hands; but all The dis
turbance without effect upon her. Harshorn was
held suddenly under her nose for some moments-and
though she must have inspired HE s,rong ehurIa. no
sign of unusual sensation manifested. Several per-
spoke her in succession. aud she took notice
of what they said. Then stood al the distance IF
few feet from her. and 'ncai!y requested her, without
touching her. to give her hand, and she medialely
held Out her hand towards mine. wished her To leave
my hand, and she did Immediately. Some other indiv
duals tried the experiment. but without success.
handkerchief PIT over her eyes; stretched again
my hand aud she gave hers without heslution.-
There could be collision here because, the bandage
being fixed closely over her eyes cectualy shut up
~ 10 her mind except that by which the
rious magnetic sympathy is impaired This last expert
mept was so fairly made and successful tina, one of
the medical gentlemen present. who had been incrcdu
WINGED Then after telling in low voice 10 the ladies'
and gentlemen who were standing around her that
was going 10 cause her, by my VIII, to open her lids
without awakening her, | made motion upwards with
INV enoer at the distance of three inches ftnu, hrr
face and immediately her open her lids 10 the
utmost Width there she sat STILL perfectly motioulrss
and gazing at in the most intent manner. She look
ed exactly like wax figure ...-......
With the view Of uscerainng whether she still
in the state of magnetic nsensiby, dared suddenly
near to her eyebals in rapid succesSion yet
she wfnked not, and appeared insensibie blind
person Rev. Mr. Taft, having noticed that her pupils |
we're extremely diated suggested The idea of placing
two blazing lamps before her eyes; SO did, and yet
The sudden glare of light thus falling on the unprotected
nupiI gaas effecual us much light the eyes Of
cornse made motion downwa1ds with my hand, and
The lids were closed again.
nv REQUEST Edward Walcott, Esq, asked the SOM
,ambulist 10 drink Of water that he presented 10 herr
syep he nut the tunbler 10 her lips bat she took
ice of IT, mentally asked her whether she wished for
,ome water she answered, in tone audible to those
mentally again urged her TO take some then she open.
d ber Inns arasped at the iuinber, and drank two or
hree swallows of tue liquid.
nd a1er abe had slept one hour and half walked