Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1842-09-29
MESMERlSM-u,ee morel

discussion Of the claims Of Mesniesm to be ranked as
sciencs-and many experiments cited pro and con
The report Of the Medical Faculty" in Richmond
eas. Of that poriion Of the Faculty who attended MI
Ffench's eyaninations-as far as it goes, is decidedly
nnfavorable. Doctors Robert Muniord, 5. Maupin
Thos. johnson, A. j. Peasants, j. n. Brooks, jane
Bolton. X. {. Amber X. A. Carington, John Dove
Robert G. Cabel G. Thomas, and g. G.. Minor. hav,
signed rosou,ion declaring their decided opinion tina
the experiments. carefully witnessed by them, "dc
tend in The least degree. establish its claims
while Doctors Richie, iaxall, Watkins. Rawlings
Tompkins aud Brown say they have mot had sufficient
opportunities to form opinion upon the phenomena Of
Mcsmerism, or Phrcno- Mesmersm and do not, by the
presen, proceedings, to express their condemnation
ofeher." Not Ut the humber, therefore, expresses
decided opinion in favor of its clamsn do wonder
at it. after reading the long detail of the experiments be
fore them, which were, for the most part unsucsIion-
ably failures! The following physicians. embracing
many Of the mos, eminent of the Richmond Faculty,
not present: Doctors Dohannan Burton, Chamber
layne, Carmichael, Clarke, Cullen, Cunningham r.
ii. & "a Marx, Myers Nelson. Patterson, Watson,
Wor,han and Warner The cause Of the failure OF the
experiments. in the examinations before the Faculty is
ascribed by the friends of Mr. French to his excitement
been heaped upon him. and the consequent absence of
that "composure Of mind and concentration of tlough
which is conlesscdly, necessary success.
Repeating an observation which we have heretofore
made tina, we have noticed this snbicc, in the spirit
Of conroversalists but rather of enquirers-equally
anxious thu, Mesmersm may be exploded if ii be ahum-
bug, established il it be law of naurc--we remark
that the opinion of a College OF Physicians, however
learn ,ll al
ject, than would the opinion of intelligent gentle
who had never been honored with a diploma Tbe
subject has necessary with medical science
and does peculiarly fall within the province OF medl
cal mcn The the failure Of experiments TO
establish its TRUTH expose is imposture can be az
well judged of by intelligent and watcul man as by
aolherand hence, the opinion of Tie members of the
Richmond faculty adverse. Mesmerism does not sat
sEy us that il is all cheat. Their experiments how
ever, entitled mra weighi-ye,, after al the
question arises, does the allure before hcu explode all
the satisfactory experiments witnessed and alts ed by
others? Those successful experiments remain still TO be
accounted for. That p,'p yet to bcsaatled;anl full
of Mr.. Frenc! lay does not nyala the fore.
ohssuccess previous ins unless is to be inr
red from that failure iha his previous successful expert
ments were the result of COLLISION between the Mes
suppose the argument, then discussion is at ncud But,
surprising for inonen, that gentlemen Of reputation
who have been engaged in the experiments were guilty
OF coiusion, how happens it that his collusn has Is
cSped detection, III many cases? Indeed how could
there be cous"n in some Of theml What opportunity
Lad Judge Beverly Fucker to arrange plans with the
negro girl whom t the first time he saw on the evening
Of the exhibition, after she had been thrown into the mar
nctlc slumbcri What opportunity, what motive had
the Kew. VIM. A. smith enter uo prev ous arrnpoe
u,cnts with the lady whom he saw under the MAGNETIC
influence in Norfolk, aud whose detail of the in,ercs
ting experiments which he Witnessed, we publish
Ell few days aJo? These and many other Questions
might he ashcd-but is unnecessary, they will su
grsi themselves 10 every mind.
Public curiosity being much excited on the
sriihy, 81 that II II be an imposturr, may be clear
y demonstrated, and chaTatans deprived Of the power
Of imp sing upon the public crcduy-or on the other
had, If there be reality the magnetic prime ple that
i's reality may be shown. To this end we os,cur
IN the opinion ralncssd by the Editor of the Baltimore
AmerIcan THAT II is time the subject was taken
IRON the hands OF quacks The scientific and intelligent
sh 'ud Investigate the principles. study the phenomena
and endeavor 10 learn the philosophy Of the thing
What hidden arcana Of the human mind NAV be disro-
srd through its developments no man NAV rashly ven
urc to say; nur can any, without the blnst prejudice
venture 10 say that the subject is not worthy Of serious
inyeSiigalion