Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-09-29
MISOMM u 8 " 70
From the Richmond Compiler.
THE WONDERFUL EXPERIMENTS.

We proceed now to redeem our promise,
and give more minute detail OF the scenes
at the Exchange Friday night. First we will
rcier TO our own course on the subject
No man was more disposed 10 ridiculc the
matter of Animal Magnetism than we, and
few years ago we entered into a labored argu-
mcnt to prove that magnetism, and above all,
clairvoyance, had no existence, and were used
by dishonest men to delude people, and make
money. Until very recently, we have treated
i. in this spirit. But when we saw gentlemen
in whose judgment and honor we had the
most perfect confidence, convinced that there
was such thing as Mesmerism, or Animal
Magnetism, by which wonderful sympathy
was established between men--going even SO
far as to exhibit community of taste-we
paused awhile, and were induced to regard the
matter with more respect it assumed more
dignifed form. We felt curious to investigate
for ourselves the strange phenomena said to
be produced-and wouldhave Inconvenience
ourselves for this purpose-whereas, formerly,
we would not have gone out OF our path to
do so. Indeed, we were so satisfied that it
was an imposture, that we would not 90 to
see the experiments of one Of the niagnetisers
who exhibited here, and who turned out to
be an impostor, fixing us more decidedly "a
gainst the whole affair
Being prepared and anxious to give the sub
ject a fair tigation--determne not to
shut our eyes to it if it could be sustained by
truth-yet hoping that it could not be so sus-
tanned, because we thoughtit, in some degree,
INITIATED against our preconceived notions
we visited the exhibition by Mr.. French Friday
night. We claim, then, 20 be an impartial
witness. II we were not, our partially was
certainly not in favor Of the science, (if we
may so call it, of Mesmersm for we had
committed ourselves against it, and so far as
pride OF opinion could influence, would be re-
lucant to make an admission in its favor
Under these circumstances, and in this frame
OF mind, we accordingly wendell our way to
the Hall. Mr. French first delivered lecture,
IN which he took occasion TO refer to the ex-
element that existed in Richmond, and how
unjusly and unexpectedly he had become the
object OF ridicule and suspicion--incidentali
abiding to the position Of our Wing neighbor
who, pronouncing The whole matter SHAM
6ng," yet refuses to investigate it, and will not
give the friends Of the science all opportunity
to present to him the proofs Of what they adj
yocate. He went on then to draw parallels
between the tone Of ridicule and sceptlcism
with which Mesmerism had been treated, and
the manner in which various new discoveries
IN different ages had been decentralization
had been arrayed against Mesmerism-so ii
was against The theory Of the revolving motion
OF the earth, and against various others. Mr..
French referred, too, to the manner in which
the discoveries ofnew theories had been pun
lshed Tor heretics, and inventors Of things tina,
were to disturb society and destroy the ortho-
aox religion. From all which he argued that
u was not surprising Mesmerism encountered
the opposition it did and that it furnished no
conclusive testimony against it that it was so
opposed.
lie next mentioned the names OF great men
and learned divines who had become satisfied
Of the existence Of Mesmerism, and had be-
come enthusiastic advocates Of it, Among
these were Lord Brougham, Mr.. Elliettson,
President Of the London Society for the Diff
sion of knowledge, Bishop Mclvane DR..
Mitchell of Philadelphia, several of the most
distinguished members Of the Medical Faculty
IN Cincinnati, and the West, sc. He read a
letter from the President Of Tie Phreno-Mag-
netic Society Of Cincinnati, which spoke in the
most confident tone of the great and important
discoveries that they would make in the science
they had i'll charge. From discoveries already
made, they hope TO find out completely the
minute sympathy that exists between the diff
lerent departments Of tie brain and every
Function Of the body; for instance-what sec