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

- he n ri
in The dereopcment Of the sciences, and many pflnc
nl.s have been brought to light, which have astohseu
the ciyilised world. The success which has cro"heu
the efforts put forth for this purpose mas
multiply the votarirs of science; ano among ue
number who enter The field il Is moi mailer OF aslosh
meul tina; there should be many qnacks ana 'hat ''o
sand fancu theories and visionary results soulu Pfo
ducsd Among the most marvellous u!"eo '. "
which the world has made any Prelensloh Is ,'a' s'e
calIed Animal Magnetism term we shouo oesPn' w
hnr .hIr 10 define and which therefore, we shall not
attempt. r, :,:,;, ,o,,oc,
Beinp entirely ignorant of the echn!ca:''s connect
I'd with this theory, we only uiiuersahd amman 80
uc,ism TO mean sort Of sympathetic principle, by "hch
orc n,sun can exercise Il rrss.lcsS influence over Inc
external and internal faculties and senses &" anoi'-
For insancr the operator processes To oe ao: oy he
mere motion u his hands IN contact win inc suec' u
induce sleep for any given length OF Tune; ana during
That srrp to hold with the person thus opera
TED on either rucay or mentally, which no oiief one
can do and TO !ic sleeper from STAT u s'hpe
al sirn and word, when the most powerful efforts VI
others have failed do Thus has been sl'd mat
nrrsons mi TO sleep b. means of Anml! Magnetism, re-
main unnoycd by The questions aud the Shouts of he
multitude, start not even though pms DC SUCK IN Inc
flesh or pistols fired almos, in contact w'ti the head
But question pat by The operator IN the iowest WIS
per- or even merely by the touch u TIE HSr an
immediate response, and but otI'n OF MS hau """
kens the sleeper 10 consciousness and HE zee
Marvellous rs these things are, are not at liberty
TO contradict tem-tha is to say-we are not al liberty
nv OF gentlemen whose veracily Is above suspcIon has
Leen rven to the public, and within few days past, who
have been eye witnesses TO these facts IN our haiae
vic nifty These gentlemen have doubtless seen ana hearu
what they profess to have dome, ana we o"uS' Il t''
b. an intelligent man in this community, who VIII call
their statement in question. But sill we have our
doubts of The reality OF all this mystery and are also OF
opinion that they have.
We would moi insnuae that they have been deceived
by means of prcconccied plot; though as such things
have been ere now, it might be well Tor gentlemen OF
standing in the literary and scientific world 10 reflect
sonle hat longer than those gentlemen appear 10 have
done, before they i've ,er testimony ana 10 ehet 50
far on the work inyeSi CATION at least To second
look rahcr than run The hazard OF aiding npoSlure
We say not that any imposition has been pracsed or a.
trmpled but do say, that the gentlemen referred To
do not know the contrary; and we must De allowed 10
think that they owed il to their dignity, and To The
cause of scencr 10 withhold their signatures till the
negative should have been proved beyond doubt We
hold it important maxim. that no friend u science
ought to give his name TO sanction any pretended
result unless he has far examined the circumstances
as 10 have satisfied himself that neither mistake de-
cepllUn morally possible.
But other things arc to be consdrrcd Imagination Is
i powerful charm, which operates with uncomfortable
nrcc Oh the human mind; and especially on the minds oi
females and who generally the SUBJECTS OF Anilli
Magnetism. lmag evils, and ho!d rIsors o Ian
cy will chase sleep from the most healthy frame and the
suitest pillow Imagination drives or wOos The S1naIn'
bust from his bed, and accompanies him in his drowsy,
dreamy midnight ranble. lmug mary visions OF c"ilng
felicity fit before The OF the most wrrtced oi oar
race, change their rackng ormens to comparative bliss,
and lull them into quiet and refreshing suber Ina
gnalion conutcs up the forms Of demons, ghosts and
gobilns, 10 the asonished gaze of the tmid and the
guy-cloes airy nolhings with reality, and drives The
airghted gaZcrs ~ distraction In Short Imagination
makes mad and crowns others with idea! bliss; and
thousands the Instances III which 1t has stretched
the bed oil sickness, and hnay launched Nun IN
to the tomb.
We do not say that Imagination has any part in what
is called Animal Magnetism; but do say, that the
lrary has been proved TO tie Satisfaction Of science,
and that who values her, should give currency
to any thing professedly connected with her; until Ien
t. las been proved beyond doubt.
Tel! Us where is the man, OF strong and vigorous
mind, who against his will aganst his convictions: has
been lulled to sleep by the finger OF the mugnelser and
had his senses and faculties chained 10 those OF the "pc
ralor: Where is the who, already reclining in lie
arms Of Morpheus has had his SAUNDERS pro,aced at
the pleasure Oh magnetic operator, and been compelled
to do all that is related Of others These the prtis
would denIand-tle smallest proofs with which we
would be satisfied eases III which no previous under
sic ndlnr or arrangement could have been made:-in
WHICH no deception could be pIactised-and in which
Imagination could have part. Truth Is the object oil
scientific research; and principle: theory, anu 10
result is worthy the slightest cons!deaii"n which VIII
not bear the test of The most rigid scrutiny. Let Ami
NAL Magnetism be brought TO this Test. If it bear The
investigations is wellif not, let II be treated like
thousand and other nine days wonders which, have
had their rum and passed away with no other effect than
that Of deceving the creduuus. misleading The public
mind and picking The pockets O! clllzens, To I'LL
those o. ,ncran, mounrbanks. The days Of wcicrail
and nccroniuncy have long since passed away, and the
dreamy visions Of ruperslitiouS aye have been dspel-
cd by the light of science. Let not scirnce now be
made the Instrument to build up chimeras equally de.
cepiive, and. if not perncious in their ultimate con-
sequences, quite subvrrsve OF truth and reason.
[Prccialncc Journal.
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