Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1842-04-02
From ,heNe,o York Eceaing Post,
Animal Magnetism Mt the West,

was described some two or three weeks since
ina Louisville paper. When we first read the
account, We were disposed to look upon it as a
hoax; but have since ascertained The names
OF the persons who were referred to, and have
now no doubt ofthe entire truth of the slate
ment IL appears that an intelligent and re-
spectacle gentleman, residing at Alton, Illinois,
when he first heard Of the experiments in Ami.
NAL Magnetism, partly in Jest aud partly from
curiosity, essayed to test their merits by at
tempting them on the person of an intimate fc-
male friend. After several trials, he succeeded
in producing what is called the Magnetic Sleep.
lie remarked the usual phenomena which are
said to attend that state. But Judge of his as-
tonishment when, at the end of a few days, he
found his patient invoiuntarly falling into the
sleep, and requiring his constant presence to
keep her awake. His only anxiety now is, to
discover some process by which he can restore
the unfortunate lady to her natural state, and
relieve himself from perpetual watchtulness.
Like the Magician's Apprentice in Goethe's
poem, he has exercised fearful power, which
he does not know how either to control or to
suppress.
1t is only necessary 10 add, that we are ac-
quainteJ with the family in which these things
occurred, and that we place the fullest conf
dence in the following letter. addressed by the
person so unfortunately bound by spiritual
chains, 10 his brother in tins city:
ALTON, February %, 1872
Yours of the llth inst is received, which
will hasten TO answer. First, as to Animal
Magnetism. You were right i'll supposing the
communication in the Louisville Journal was
from me. There is nothing in that letter but
what was clearly within the truth The whole
truth would have developed other facts still
more passing strange The fact is, am now
at G.'s, where | am under the necessity OF
awaking Miss f., the subject of my expert
mcnts, from what is called the Mesmeric state
every morning, and often several times during
the day. She falls into it voluntarily, and at
times i'll opposition TO my will Ifallowcd to
remain long in that state, she becomes alarm
or when it will end time can only determine
We do, however, think it is gradually wearing
oil, and that her INCLINATION 10 relapse INTO the
sleep is not as irresistible as it was. Most OF
her sleep for the last six weeks has been of this
character. Thus much as TO her situation and
now, a few lines on Animal Magnetism, its
causes and effects. OF course, as soon as we
discovered the tendency to fall voluntarily into
this strange state, all further magnetizing pro-
ccsscss were stopped, and this sleep which she
now falls INTO is only OF a partially magnetic
character, devoid OF most OF its strange iea-
lures, excepting the facts that | alone can
and nationally with ne, but cannot see or hear
any thing or any body else. ! agree with you,
that there is something connected with 1t not at
all understood or TO be accounted for by any
known course of reasoning, and further, doubt
/ whether man can ever satisfactorily establish
any philosophical solution of It's causcs-how
mind can thus act on mind or mind on distinct
matter for when in this sleep, | can by my
will cause her arm or leg to raise horizontal
or any other position, and then remain stfiand
inieXbe as the limb of corpse. This sappears
some like the action of the mind on matter.
The first time l magnetzcd Miss +. | could
not get her to speak-the second barely to an.
swer yes or no-tae third time she would talk
a little, and so on till perhaps the tenth time,
when she would CONVERGE freely and began to
exhibit her marvellous cluirvoyant powers.
falling into this state herself, you may wei
suppose we were deeply interested. say we
II was confined 10 the knowledge of coz. G. ;,
family and one neghbor. | will now state ,
few facts, which we all think were Evidenced
beyond the possibility ofa doubt. Noboly bu
myself is capable of waking .ler. She woulc
talk with no one but NE, except | had hrs
wllled that she should, and also placed the thirc
person in contact with her, as placing their hand
together. She could hear nothing but my voc,
or a noise made by me. | have seen 6. fir
a gun within foot of her head withou he
showing any signs OF hearing it. Her eye
closed, she will tell when eat and drink, vii
tell accurately when left the room, and whe
returned. You may bear in mind that non
Of us had seen any thing of the kind, and wer
unprepared tor most of the phenomena.
/ One evening while she was in this sleef
t some apples, raisns, and walnuts were passe
f round commenced eating an apple, whe
she remarked. These are good apples
then took up some raisins, and asked her wha