The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-23

brain Of the Mssmeriase, than in the motives mani
pulaiions OF the Mesmerizer The power lies in the
l0iA and its object 10 the will The best Mesmerzer
Is he who is accustomed to command Mesmerism 10
no new thing The power Is common to all mankind.
What was the gaze of Buonapare's eye before which
no eye could remain fixed but by Mesmerc influenced
What Is the power by which his keeper es,rains the
unatic by look-lhat by which Van Amburg sub
dues the will of the lion, but Mesmersm Thirty
forty years ago. there was great sensation produced
DO " Metallic Tractors the operators with which pro-
iessed by passes" to cure diseases, while the effect
produced was in reality Mesmerc. These metallic
tractors held in the hand were waved about the head
and arms OF the subject with precisely the movements
OF The hand now made in Mesmerism. One day the
physician who had discovered that the same effect
could be produced with silver fork, and then with
bar Of lead finally substituted wood and produced the
same efec. of soothing pain and producing sleep Hs
then showed those standing around his pooden trac-
tors, saying, See, now, what Imagination has done "
He thought perhaps il only Imagination, and all
thought SO with him, and the metallic tractors
pronounced humbug" and wero henceforward ridi-
culed. Thirty years have passed since then, and
now know that the effect then produced not refer
able either to metal wood held in the hand, but to
the combined motions Of tho hand and the involuntary
will of the ractor-hoIder
There quite number Of amateur Mesmerzers
in this city, and Mesmeric gatherings private houses
of an evening, for the purpose of experimenting,
very common. At of these have witnessed
effects truly wonderful and astounding to the senses
u may by and by give you history of the most re-
markable experiments that passed under my personal
observation.
a lpfiar vUhi 10 tla tha
Mesmeric world has just appeared from the pen of
DR.. Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, in which he says he
has succeeded in producing Mesmerc effects by gal
ranism, applied to the brain, and that by galvanizng
ether by depressing elevating) any fthe phre
biological organs, he has raised the pulse 20 deg and
reduced it 90 Tin all 4O) in minute. This is an
traordinary statement scarcely less wonderful than
that which Mesmersm challenges for itself. would
advise who wishes information these subjects
to which the public mind is turning its serious at.
tention, to read Townsend's Facts in Mesmerism
from the perusal of which they will not rise up with
out saying Surely strange things have pass
in these latter days"
The lectures before the Lyceums, Societies and In
siutes the order Of the evening" and are well and
fashonably attended The theatres are dong nothing
Of Importance. Sheridan Knowles "Old Maids" has
been second time played at the Park. This play is
nearly every way equal to ct he Hunchback" and far
better than the Glove Chase" It will increase his
reputation the first dramatic writer of the presens
day. 1t abounds in fine images, elegant wit touching
sentiment sweetly spoken, and new and pleasing
thoughts and those neat turns Of expression peculiar
to this author Its dicon is often slovenly but never
low or unworthy his genius. The plot is good one,
and the play well got up as TO it's scenery and
parts. 1t will not have the run of the Hunchback
Love Chase for there is less appeal to the heart in
it. but it will not fail fully to sustain, in the closet
well on the stage the authors high name.
Mr. Forrest is playing an engagement in Providence.
He has taken leave Of the New York boards for some
months He is independent nay, rich, and may
take his ease in "his inn" He lives in handsome
style near Chelsea, and owns, besides, pretty villa
near Rochelle in which his friend William Leggett
died.
Butler, the tragedian, is winning golden honors.-
Since Macready there has been to surpass him
in Shakspeares higher characters. He s fast grow
ing into power.
Mrs. Mowat is becoming the fashion, and her read
ings are very much admired. will unsay all said
in my last about her and the rosrum for the plea
sure she afforded in reciting "Chris stilling tho
Tempest"
DR.. Lardners lecture thronged last night
Many went, doubtless out Of curiosity to the
of letters while others went to the gay Lohario of
ffy-eight. The majority were ladies'! His lecture
was on the Heavenly Bodies, and was what i, only
could have BEEN coming from such His
style colloquia and remarkably plain and instruc-
tire 1t was listened to with profound interest," and
the announcement that he would continue his lecture
on Friday next week received with the most fat
terng demonstrations public speaker could desire to
receive from his audience
DR.. Wallace recently lectured in a very interesting
manner at the Lyceum room, upon the Eye. He il
Illustrated his remarks by experiments upon serera pa
tiens. II was of the novel as well as inter-
esting lectures of the season.
Dr. Williamson lecured last night, before the Me-
chanics Institute, upon the Improvement Of the Me-
chanic Arts. His lecture was very sensible and prac-
teal, and is worthy Of publication for the gen
eral circulation among mechanics.
The Herald and Express give fttH reports of all
these lectures the morning succeedingor rather Of all
that is worth preserving of them. The reporters of
this city are talented industrious and intelligent
corps, and probably have no equal. They are well
paid, bn their labor is hard and brain wearing The
fatigue of taking down in short-ha lecture in
crowded hail. and then retiring to sit up till one two,
three in the morning to write it of for the press,
only be conceived by those who have been reporters.
The Herald has eight or nine reporters of whom
make this busy season. from forty to fifty dollars
week The Express has large number, and to all of
the city papers are attached or more, OF more or
less skill and ability It's this body ofgenemen who
are to dine Boz, who formerly Parliamentary
Reporter. The reporters Of this dinner. opne will
be Champagne