Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-12-02
From the Providence, r. |. Journal.
REMARKABLE PHENOMENA OF
ANIMAL, MAGNETISM.


invitation to witness case Of magnetlcal
somnambulism, now under his charge at
Pawluckct, with the assurance that an hour
there spent, "would be one Of the mos,
wonderful of my life" went last evening
accompanied by gentleman of the highest
integrity, who witnessed with me the facts
am about to relate, and who would give
testimony to the truth. At half past o.
clock, we went to the boarding house OF
the Somnambulist, Miss Cynthia Gleason
whom we found "stting, clothed, and in
her right mind" conversing with some
twelve or fifteen ladies' and gentlemen.
On being introduced she arose from her
seat and very modcslly gave her hand, say
ing" am happy to sec you" She is rath
er tall and slender, has large prominent
eyes,-and an expression OF purity, OF rell-
gious thought, rests upon her welI-marked
features, which are rather pale than fair.
Wishing to observe something in her man
ner Of conversing, her looks, thoughts, and
tone Of voice, while in her natural state"
! began inquiring into the state of her
health, and whether she had experienced
benefit from magnetism She replied, 81
think am better than | was last night,
md feel much better for being magneli-
zed." Do you like it ? one asked. 20, |
think have been operated upon long
enough-it is time some one took my place.
At this moment, Dr.. Poyen, who stood by
my side, before the fire, at the distance of
about eight feet from the patient, touched
my foot with his as sign that he had com.
menced magnetlzlng her with his ,ciN |
instantly looked at my watch, and marked
the moment when the operation common
ced, being curious TO watch every move
ment of the magnelizer, whose magic pow.
er seems not less wonderful than the clair
voyance Of the Somnambulc.
first looked at him. He stood perfect
1y still, his eyes firmly fixed on the patient
not on her eyes for she had slightly turned
her head, which rested on The back of the
rocking chair in which she was sitting,
with deep and earnest look of entreaty
and resolve of ,cishing and DiHing:-It
was that fervent speaking EXPRESSION of
the soul, which no one can voluntarily give
to his coun,ennnce, who has not well learn
cd that wisest lesson-ihat most heroic Of
arts 10 rule his Spirit. In about half a
minute her eyc-lids trembled and iell-her
head nodded--her hands dropped lifecssIy;
and in one minute and n half her sleep
seemed as profound and complete. save n
gentle breathing, as the last deep sleep
that falls upon mor,als That supcrnatu
raj going 10 sleep, TO me, was a moment
soem'y impressive. In that mysterious
slumber, that "dccp sleep" Of the senses.
saw an emblem Of the subl,m'y Of death!
Standing before that senseless body
That family breathing, half-lving corpse,
questioned within myself more deeply than
ever before-wha, is the human soul, And
what are the true laws Of its action and
existence. Alas there was no responsive
phlloso ply, which, at such moment, could
satisfactorily explain the momcntous prob
lem. But feel. and there was consolation
in this feeling, for the aching want Of true
wisdom and soul science, that God and
Eternity are only able to answer 10 these
mysterious phenomenn--'hesc npparitlons
Of the Infinite and Unknown. But this
was time for observation, and not reilac
ton. DR.. P. now advanced and stood at
about two feet from the Somnambu|ist /;
when he inclined his head towards her
touched gently her forehead with his eX-
tended fingers then drew his hands rapid.
ly down her arms, sometimes with slight
friction; threw them off suddenly at right
angles; brought them again over to her
forehead, frequently resting them moment
upon the top of the head. These gestures
were continued about two minutes, during
which the patient drew long breath,
which seemed more expressive Of deep
emotion than physical pain. There was
something in it too tranquil for sigh. 1t
was like the breathing which we some-
times witness in sleeping child, when lis
whole being lies melted into one delicious
sense of deepest and sweetest reposc.
He now ceased mugnc'izing her by ex.
ternal operations. Her hands grew cold,
her pulse was quick and tremulous. No
impressions could now be made upon her
senses she was dumb and deaf and dead
to all except her magnetizer! The wal m
principle of Life which gives sensation to
every nerve was temporarily Withdrawn
from its cage Of clay, and left it almost as
cold and inanmate as The empty scpulchre
OF the risen Spirit. Her magnetizer, after
we had questioned her in vain, spoke 10
her in low voice about her case. She
replied with true and beautiful emphasis
with a calm and eloquent earnestness,
"This is the Lords dol0g but it is not
wonderful in our eyes. 1t is only the igno-
rant who cannot understand it. If people
would only read ard study more, they
would know more about these things
eyes said DR.. p. "f people spent less
time in bar-rooms. and more in seeking to
know what is truth in philosophy and reli-
gion, it would be better for them, much
better" 80 yes" was her reply. "there
-, calling the name,) he refused
to let his daughter have ticket to attend
your lectures. When you meet him in the
street, you would think he was a gentle.
man 4; but" there she spoke in strong
and unrcserved, but perfectly calm and de
corous language, of the character Of the
individual she alluded to. At my request,
was then put in communication with her,
simply by the wish and will OF her magne-
tzer, that she would answer ray questions
and talk with me. neutrality-suspicious.
her head was turned from me, her eyes shut,