Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-10-14

study 10 snow myself approved unto you.
was effective and impressive Discourse, and hs al
uson TO the late Bishop Moore peculiarly touching
| Bishop Griswod, the Oldest member, and The Presi
dent of the Bench of Bishops, consecrated Or Johns
Alter the services the occasion concluoeo the
Sacrament administered to large number Of
Communicates.
[By the Editor.]
| TThe subsequent remarkable account OF Mes nefIc
Phenomena is from The pen Of Of the most intelligent
and honorable citizens of Albemnre county. There
be question about TIE accuracy of the statements
The writer's name is not published to the above,
but it may be obtained at this ofice
TO TIE EDIT OR OF TIE ENQUIRER
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Oct. Z, lc32
As "Mesmtrism is exciting much attention and
Investigation the one hand, and much ridcule on
the other, oil the information which can be collected IN
relation it, will prove interesting and amusing, not
Instructive Permit me, therefore, TO throw IN my
mite also.
/ had much written, and heard SO much
said upon this singular subject that l had BECOME
convinced there somethng in it, to say the eas,
Il therefore determined TO try far myself, with the
view exclusively Of satisfying myself of the truth
or falsy OF the science, if science it be. The sub.
ject which | selected for my experiment, was Int
lie boy of about twelve years of age, rather deli
catey constituted, but Of than ordinary mental
vgor, and of sterling integrity of character lie had
never heard of mesmersm, knew nothing of the phe-
nonena attending it, and, when proposed 10 mesner-
Use, artlessly inquired wha, meant by it. ought to
observe here that had witnessed an experiment,
and knew nothing Of the modus Operand except what
| learned from gentleman who had witnessed some
public exhibitions in Lynchburg. This by the way
Under these circumstances, then, attempted to mes
uerse the little boy before mentioned the night o
the 18th ult about half past o'clock. In about nj
teen minutes he was in state OF profound rePose-
Tho family then gathered around US, and commenced
making experiments each one for himself The uncle
and Of the lad first attempted 10 awake MN
by taking him by the shoulders and shaking him vio.
lenty and calling him loudly, but without the slightest
effect. He then pnched him, somewhat violently, Out
not muscle moved that We could perceive Ills nose,
ears and mouth, then ticked, but without the
slightest effect The gentleman then pinched aae
jus, above the ANGLE. The little fellow instantly caught
hold of his eC, aud commenced rubbing il at the very
part. My nose, ear, and mouth, were then tIckled,
and every instance he applied his hand 10 The part
and rubbed it, if he himself had been tickled MY
hair was pued slightly OH the back part OF the head
he instantly applied his hand TO the part OF his
head and rubbed H. He was not bEdfolded during
these experiments but in deep sleep, evidently
aad, even though his eyes had been open 1t was mPos
slb!e he could have several of the experiments
afterwards mesmerlsed him several times and ban
dared Ills eyes An almost infinite variety Of expert
meD,s we're tried by any person who chose, without
consulting me. The results were truly astonishing
The sc nse of taste, in single instance, deceived him.
tasted vinegar Immediately his mouth was drawn
no. almost to q contortion, and when asked what he
salt in hand, and sugar IN the other, and tasted
them alternately, carrying both hands to the mouth,
al the same time. In no instance did he tail 10 tell
which TASTED, although tasted them IN quick sue
cession then took gold watch in my hand, holding
il so that he could not have it, had his eyes been
unbanGaged and he "wide awake. When asked nat
il was he pronounced it watch. asked nm wnat
kind he replied, ga gold watch" asked him what
time was; he said, just nine- was just eteuen, how
ever but when you reflect that the same letters (to
nitulal maize both numbers. and that lie evI
IDENTIFY was not guessing, you will be struck with the
coincidence. A silver watch was placed IN my hands
When asked what it was, he replied "a 1aite watch
small pocket Bible handed me. | asked him
what it was: lie said it book. What sort OF
book: "a Bible the prompt reply. now turned
10 a blank leaf, wherein were written, IN pencil the
names of the owner and the person by whom u had
been presented, in the following form, viz =" NJ
c. VS. Bible, presented TO her by her afiec-
10 read it, lie Immediately raised his hands, precisely
MS if he held book, and appeared TO look 'nienty
nr some time. lie then read ii, rerbatim ct tueratim
ought observe here that another Bible, almost ex
acty like this, with the same writing, differing only
as 10 the Of the owner was lying upon The centre
table, whence this was taken.-A variety OF objects
were placed in my hands, and IN not more than one or
two instances did he fail 10 tell me what they were
now from my seat. lie rose also. raised my
arm lie stretched out his, exactly IN the same man
ner | placed one arm akmbo. lie initiated my exam
ME then placed the other in the position He
did so Likewise. slipped my hands an inch or two
higher The slightest movement oil the sort was m
stan,y initiated, e1Gcy, by HIM now walked easily
across the carpetsd floor He followed step by step
suddenly turned upon my heel. He instantly faced
about / was now standing Immediately behind him
In this position he initiated erery Increment, eren me
sfightest ,chich made. now conducted HIM 10 the
piano, and so placed myself that could reach the
keys without moving my arm even more than an
,nch or two ! now directed little boy, who stood
hy. with a nod, to his fingers over the keys,
which he did The mesmersee did not seem to
hear and stood like statue then ran my ringers,
| very slightly over the keys. He instantly raised
his hand, and initiated, with great exactness, the mo-
lion of ma fingers cheating the air only, however
In short SIR we tried, repeat, an almost infinite va
riety of experiments and with almost invarabe sue
cess The senses of touch, tas:e sight, hearing, and
smelins all severely tested, and proven TO have
been equally and most wonderfully affected
afterwards mesmerized negro boy, and with al
most equal success | tried these experiments excu-
siveIy with view TO my own satisfaction, and The re-
suit is that believe as fully in mesmersm az DO 10
electricity or gavanism. AS TO the rldcule which ia
been thrown AROUND this subject, II IS more an ev
ence of the fasi,y of mcsmersm, than il is of COED
se nse in those who resort it, Many people seem de-
tcrmned 10 believe in nothing that they cannot com
prehend Your learned and ingenious neighbor OF th'
Wing particularly, seems TO have laid II down as an
axiom that he will give has assent 10 nothing lhat II
mot reduced TO the level Of his own understanding
whence should infer that he is likely TO believe yer,
little Wonder if he believes that the earth turns upon
is axis once in twenty four hours doubt II. be that
| as it NAV however, | believe you will agree with me-
that his head turns fully often as the earth
| and that unless he mends both his manners and his
morals it will deserve to turn, II not upon ITS aIs al
| iaas, ,nder the are ANTl-HUMBUG.
FOR TIE ENQUIRER.
EDUCATION.
Among the many subjects which offer themselves tor
consid. ration there important and so interest
,np as that of Instruction. And while attempt the DIS
charge OF the duty have thus apparently Presnmp.u
usy i'm posed upon myself reoiced to have Inc nap
py privilege of behold around me so few who are ne