The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-07
From the Journal Of Commerce.
DURANT ON ANIMAL MAGNETISM.

We annex q few extracts from this ingenious book,
which has shown up conclusively the humbugery of
Animal Magnetism; at time too, when ii In the
" full tide Of successful experiment" Mr.. D. carried
little common into his investigation, and the
spectre vanished. II bear such rough treat
ment.
Miss Ebon is the only self-deceiped magnetic SOM
nambuis that have seen, and therefore her case merits
a more particular description.
She was seated in rocking chair; and Mr.. Potter
seated directly in 'front.' with her knees pressed between
his own, commenced the manipulatons or passes, by
first holding her thumbs in his hands, then pressing his
hands on her forehead, then draws them down her
shoulders and thighs to the knees, then presses both
hands on the stomach and bowels, then again the
forehead, shoulders and thighs to the knees and so
continues alternately; and at the time honestly
supposlng his "wlr' has something to do with The
sleep, he keeps his eyes and he has sharp ones) di-
rected on hers with such muscular force as even to
cause him pain he occasionally says TO her. "Ann
Eliza do you feel sleepy yet Ann Eliza, how do you
feel and she as often answers, Oh don't kno,c,"
~ don't knor, Mr.. Potter, feel httlc queer" 81
feel hmle sleepy Mr.. Potter" He continues the
manipuations, and again addresses her. how do you
feel now, Ann Elzal" " Do you sit easyl" do
yon feel sleepy now y Try, il you open your
eyes, Ann Eliza !" She in turn answers, " On! feel
more righ = I'm good, sn good" II feel sleepy
no,o, Mr.. Potfcr !" and then slowly opens her eyes
wider than when in natural waking state at the same
time saying, "Oh no, l could not hare been
asicep;' he then says, "no shut your eyes again,
Ann Eliza - and continuing the passes, he says
after few moments show do you feel now, Ann
Eliza !" do you feel sleepy now, Ann Eliza" "iry
to open your eyes" and she, in turn answers again.
"Oh!I feel right, just yigh;" I'm sleepy nor, Mr.
Potter = " I'm exactly ripe no,r Mr. Potter, can't
open my eyes" This occupied about ten minutes, and
when ltod Mr. Potter that Mr. Andres generally put his
lady asleep IN one two minutes, he remarked the
sleep could not be good, when done quick and he
continued, 81 have often told Mr. Andros that he put his
wife asleep too quick; Igeneraly occupy from 10 TO Is
minutes" He commenced by willing the hand to rise,
and accompanied it with saying 81 will now see f l
can make her raise the right hand" She of course
raised the right hand He said, she is now perfectly
asleep" asked If she could hear me speak he said
"no, she could not hear fired by her ears !"
"Do you hear Mr.. Durant, Ann Eliza I" she answered,
"No don't hear any body bat you, M. Potter" "Ty
her, Mr.. Durant, if she hears you" then called
her name, miss Ebon, do you hear me I" she an
swered, ~ doai hear Mr. Dardnf, Mr.. Podcr."-
NO." said Mr.. Potter, /" have tried her often. and
she can't hear gun fired TO her ears nor she don't
feel pinching, or il you should cut her of, she
would not feel it,"
"A short time after Miss Ebon thought she was
asleep younger brother Of Mr. Potter with Mrs Pot
ter and DR. Miller, Of Providence, came into the room