Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-04-02
Correspondence of the Herald.l
ALBANY, March l6, 1910.
Col. Stone and Animai Magnetism.
MIR, BENNETT


Mr., BENNETr:-
DEAR SiR.-YOur regular correspondent keeps
you ad vised Of every thing that here of le
gisiatve executive nature; but his other avoca-
the scientific crowd. take the liberty therefore,
Of forwa ding the following statement, which trust
you will give to the public.
Another great stride has been taken in the import
ant science of animal magnetism. Col. Stone has
again put on the seven-eague boots of his credulty,
and TO advance TO the position from which the
united expression of the opinion of the community,
expelled him, by accommodating evidence to supp9rt
Miss Brackett and the Mismercan theory Yet
though is very evident that he lives in the hope
that the Stone which was rejected of the builders,
will become the head ofthe corner in the new super
structure of the science, his last, like his previous
essays, has proved failure. Whether his boots
situated as unfortunately for progressing the
Yankees horses head was which declared in the
wondreus advertisement to be "where horses
tails usually were," | know not; but certainly the
issue gives rise fairly to the presumption that the
toes of the aforesaid seven-lcaguers contained the
ColonePs heels, as he evidently refrigerated in his
attempt to find defence for his extreme gullibIlity
1t the opinion seeing the Colonel here, that
the correspondent of the Herald had alarmed the
fears of the gentleman with regard to the Holland
mission, but a different conclusion is now fully JUS
tilted by the event am about to relate, to witt that
animal magnetism and the future enghtening of the
wonder-loying Of Gotham, the believers in signs
and portentous prodiges the virtue of horse shoes,
and the power of bestridden broomstcks, seduced
him hither.
Notwithstanding the severity oil the
preliminary arrang ements were effected and the
ming party of about twenty assembled in Ly-
dius street. all agog with curiosity about this sci
ence After the principles of the science were de-
tailed by the Colonel assisted by Mr.. Cd, to a
select few, and by them retaed to the company,
the subject ordered to prepare for operation.
This preparation consisted in being assured that
&c she would most assuredy go to sleeps; that " she
couldn't help doing sou in receiving assurances
that she would be treated with all due delicacy,"
and in praisewor'hv attempts on the part of the be-
levers IN tn" humbug to arouse to the utmost those
| very active powers of the mind, the love of won
DER the desire Of success, and the hope of notorety
The chair was arranged with all due prcmnaries,
| and the "modus operandf was explained. 1t was
announced in magisteral form, that 90 the subject
would be under magnetic influence in fifteen mi
nutes." She being good clever girl, chary of
wounding others feelings, and DESTROYS that all should
taste the sweets ef success, besides having half
formed idea that playing the "penserosa was rather
becoming to her, gradually seemed to lose all inter-
est in surrounding objects, and with eyes half closed,
laDguishing and dropping, sank by the appointed
time into sleep, 'the death Of each days life" Upon
this appearance of things, which was brought about
not by mani puiaIons, the magnetism OF looks, the
other usual and appointed magnetic method, but sim
ply by the declaration Of the operator TO that effect
(what omnipotence0 There was tremendous agi-
tation, which seemed to have impaired activity to
the tongues and minds OF every soul in the room;
eyebrows elevated out Of their latitude,
mouths stretched out Of their longitude, and the
temperature Of all vsibly increascd; heads were
wagged with pertentous profundity, and the genius
oflgravity seemed alightcd on all-until wicked
skeptic, OF truly unfortunate association of
ideas, suggested that PIckwck's " fat joe could
not have done the thing much neater This (odi
profdnumD destroyed entirely the " scientific inn
pressiveness of the scene, much 10 the disturbance
Of the professors and amusement Of the company
The subject was, Of course, indignant ut the odor
ous' comparison and exhibited no signs of mirth,
which was received as confirmation strong Of her
actual magnetic state. The power OF her conductor
was then shown by her playing on the piano with
her eyes only half Open talking almost as sensbly
ne nd he fruth nj he cd NV
her preservation OF perfect Darkness OF visnomy,
during which time Of display an interesting by-play
was proceeding among the outermost Of the circing
guests. Ladies would place their fat little hands in
the gentlemen's very confdingly, and be perfectly
astounded to learn from them that they felt some
thing were pleased to be assured on trial of
their nervous system by smoothing the hair Of their
Parian brows. and gazing in their love-lit eyes,
that they could be magnetized-all which contribu-
ted TO their satisfaction mater tally that much
willingly accredited to the :" science :"
The magnetic power having been excrtcd as far
as the limited tuteage Of the subject allowed, she
was reused by volition Of the operator, (prodi-
gious , and enlightened the company by announ-
cling that though she WAS not conscious Of possess
ing any more information in that state, nothing
new and was not aware Of her condition, yet-yes,
"yct she felt quccr'-an admirable word queer
is, meaning nothing something, every thing, just as
you please-but she :" felt queer" The fact was,
she had been asleep, almost-she had been in that
dreamy condition which all young people like 10
jov, and which young ladies' affect most when they
think it more than probable that the impudencc Of
their expected lover will aspire to the rapturcus
oyment Of stolen kiss-a fair forfeit Of their being
caught mapping" That she felt queer" was
perfectly satisfactory TO Col. Stone, Mr.. D--y,
the legislators present with the professors, Messrs
G-d-ard and Nee but the doubts Of sun
dry others awaited the conviction which followed
tie entrance and enjoyment OF some delicious re-
frcshments. Those disposed Of, all retired home
the gentlemen consoling themselves with the rcflec
tion that il the science not strictly true. IL fur
nished, as Harry Darius SAYS, opportunity for
exquisite fine fun" II Col Stone is not f for the
Holland mission now, he ought to be.