The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-09-26
From the Boston Mercantiie Journal.
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.


the powers of Animal Magnetism, as emanating
from crodulity and imposture-anl the course
pursued by Monsieur Poyen, in his exhibitions,
and his reluctance furnish facilities for nvesti
eating the whole matter thoroughly, by scientific
men, strengthened lis in our opinions We have
occasionally heard reports of curious, and what
we very naturally conceived to be, incredible &C.
currences, MS having taken place ut Providence,
in relation to this rubJect, but have believed thar
the cases were much exaggerated, or that there
was some ingenious mposture at the bottom
and that certain of the worthy public had been
most egregiously dupcd. But within few
weeks, circumstances have occurred, which, if
they have not caused MS to rctract the opinions
which we have formerly expressed, have Undue
ed to pause, and ponder deeply before we
come to any definite conclusion in relation to the
subject of Animal Magnetism. The facts which
we refer to were not Witnessed ID I us but by sew
cral gentlemen this city, of respectable stand
ing, superior intelligence and undoubted veracty.
They We're also witnessed individuality and at
different tncs--and are of Il nature so astound-
ing, that we hardly now what to say to them.
There could not possibly be any imposition on
the part of the magnetism or the sOmnambulist /;
ami the high character of the gentlemen under
whom the experiments were performed, would
forbid the idea of any deception on their part
The nature Of these experiments, we repeat,
were truly astounding. Places many miles dis
tant were visited by tue persons lin imagnatiun)
while under tho magnetic influence: places which
the individuals never visited when awake, and
objects faithfully described even to TIE furniture
of the kitchen, bedroom, and purlor-and also
the dress and appearance of the inmates of the
dwelling at the time, and their different occupa-
tons-all which were afterwards proved to be
correct These things cannot be accounted for
on any known principle of nature-and but few
can be expected to believe in the existence of
such marvellous power, without the most con-
clucive demonstration.
The editor of the Nantucket Inquirer has
lately declared his belief in the wonders of AMI
NAL Magnetism, and number of scientific men
in this State and Rhode Island, have also given
in their adhesion to this wonderful Science" if
it may so be called, and are now making inves
legations into its character, and studying its pc
culiar phenomena. Col Stone, the editor Of the
N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, who we believe
has never been charged with cred,D'ity-and who
has heretofore viewed the whole matter as an
egregious ht,mbug, now avows his belief in all
which its advocates claim for it, The following
is an editorial article published in the N. Y. Com
mercial Of Monday afternoon:
ANIMAL MAGNETIsM.-We have had our time
and times of laughing ut Animal Magnetism.
We shall laugh ut it no more. There is some
thing awfully mysterious in the principle, beyond
90 r,.t, Il
in Providence OH Saturday Sunday and Monday,
the goth, 9th, and 2Sth of August, an opportu-
nifty was afforded us of seeing and taking part in
series of experiments, with young blind lady,
while under the Magnetic influence, the results
of which were not only marvellous in our eyes,
but absolutely astounding The exhibition was
not public, and the parties were all people Of the
first responsibility, professional and otherwise.
Having heard much upon the subject, and disbe.
lieved all, the experiments were made before a
private circle of ladies and gentlemen, at our own
urgent solicitation.
we have written q narrative of the circunl-
stances, comprising some fifty or sixty pages of
toolscap; and we venture to say that nothing
hitherto published upon that subject, is so won
deriul by far, as the acts of which we were wit
of which we saw and part of which
were. We shall publish our narrative on taking
1t to Providence for examination, provided we
can obtain permission of the parties--who have
hitherto avoided publications or public exhibit
tons.
One surprising incident we will mention. On
Sunday while we We're in Providence, a small
package was received from Mr.. Stephen CoviIl,
Of Troy, containing, as he wrote TO his friend, Il
note which he wished Miss b. to read while un-
der the magnetic influence without breaking The |
seal, if she could. Mr.. G. had been induced to
ry this experiment. in consequence of having
heard of extraordinary performances of the kind,
which of course he doubted. The package, or
etter, was evidently composed of several envel-
,pes The outer one was composed of thick
blue paper. On Sunday evening, MISS b., who,
t must be borne in mind, when awake is blind
was put into magnetic slumber, and the letter
given her with instructions to read it, She
said she would take it TO bed with her, and read
t before morning. On Monday morning, she
gave the reading as follows:
".No other than the eye Of Omnipotence can read
has IN th's enuelopement.-1S37."
We made memorandum of this reading, and
Il