Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-11-25
Mesnerisnl.

Mesmerism.
The experiments in this science now going on
in Philadelphia, are exciting great attention in
that city The following sketch from the Spirit
of the Times may be interesting to our readers
ANIMAL Ma GNETIsM.-By SPECIAL invitation we
attended yesterday morning private exhibition
at the rooms of Mr.. Johnson, the celebrated Mag
neither, whose experiments at the Masonic Hall
are Just now the talk of the whole city, and at
tract every evening crowds of the most incredu-
ous, inquisitive, scientific, and unlearned of our
citizens.
When entered his private chamber, (it was
at Mrs. Reynolds boarding house, in Chestnut
above Seventh street,) we found already present,
Joseph c. Neal editor of the Pennsrlvanan and
author of the popular s'Charcoal Sketches
Rowland Parry of the same paper, DR.. Reynell
Coates, gentleman celebrated in the annals of
medicine and science-Thomas Earle-Edward
NJ, Davs--and J. NJ cKm, ESD.
At the request of a skeptic, Mr. Johnson stood
aside, while DR.. Coates undertook to manipulate
the wife of Mr.. Johnson. He succeeded admira-
bly, and in brief period, put her into a state that
knowledge both extraordinary and wonderful
1t was sleep, but one differing in all its elements
from the common sleep, and hence called the
''magnetic somnolency ''-the subject being
der the complete control, mentally, of DR.. Coates
the magnetizer, while physically, she was insen-
sible as marble statute.
As the principle object of Mr.. Johnson was to
satisfy the intelligent gentlemen that he was no
"humbug,' and that in protesting to develope, to
certain extent, the hidden mysteries of the Mag
netic science, he did no more than warranted by
facts to attempt We say nothing about expert
ments in clarvoyance, but confne oursef to. the
statement that he did succeed, on this OCCASION
in demonstrating beyon the possibility of dispute
that there was such a thing as "magnetic Sleep
and that he was capable, without artfce or collu-
sion, of prod ucing it.
To satisfy the minds of the gentlemen present
still more, and in order to leave ''loop to hang
doubt upon NJ Johnson magnetzed the right
arm of his sister-nlaw. 1t became as rigid as
stone, and had all the appearance of death, accom-
panied with as usual, total loss of sensibility.
Some of the gentlemen stuck pin into her arm
until the blood came, while the young lady laugh
ingly exclaimed that it produced no sensation.-
Mr. ]. then went so far as to make a deep incis-
ion INTO her hand with penknife-a shocking
and to us a cruel experiment-but she only laugh
ed at the operation, and observed that for all the
feeling it could occasion, her finger or her whole
hand might suffer amputation There could be
no humbug in this and all who examined it.,
voluntarily made such a statement.
Mr.. Johnson was fearful that he had not quite
convinced the skeptical, and proposed to partially
magnetic Joseph C. Neal Esq, the editor of the
Pennsylvania. The company joyfully assented,
for of course individual acquainted with Mr.. N.
could for moment suspect him of disposition
to assist in the composition of a "humbug." Mr..
n took a seat, and in five minutes, all the muscles
of his face were thrown into such state of par