Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-09-30

nouncing one, whose convictions had been forced up
on him by the laborious Investigations of year. II
seems 10 me, they should have remembered that Tile
Society for the Diffusion OF Universal knowledge in
London, the first literary institution in the world, with
Brougham TITS head, colossus in literature was edyo
eating Nlesmerism, after thorough investigation of the
subeci-They should have remembered that Ellioson,
the most eminent physician in London, practising
Nesme rism-that Mitchell of Phadelp hia, Buchanan
of Louisville, society Of learned gentlemen in Gin
cnnati nultis alas all practising it, satisfied
of its truth, after great labor and patient investigation,
and exhibiting experiments similar TO my own-shoud
have adverted for moment 10 the host Of writer's who
have advocated it-beore destroying by fell de-
nunciation all who have advocated Mesmerism.
think it unkind in the Richmond Faculty to brand
as imposors, after the laborious investigation of az
hour at public Hotel, such men as Brougham, ELL
olson, Mitchell, Buchanan &c. IL MesmeIism is I'M
true, they mPostors: fr they making the same
experiments that am. Ii was unkind, in one bref
hour, to destroy the we'll earned reputation of such
have named and on their ruins to have erect
ed the Richmond Faculty. Yes, Brougham, Elliotson,
Townshend, Buchanan, and Mitchell, names dear to
science, are more! They persisted BY the Richmond
Faculty! Sic transit gloria mnndi!
In conclusion, must for moment advert to the
great degree Of excitement which has prevailed on
this subject What have done? Merely stated my
convictions relative to discovery IN science, forced
upon after careful investigation OF The subject tor
a vear-this my offence, nothing more-Can 1t be Tor
this that column after column Of coarse and vulgar
abuse has been heaped upon me' No. But it was my
misfortune TO visit Richmond, just at time, when The
Wing in the madness of fully published the famous at
due ton letttr-To relieve itself from this most silly OF
all silly acts say the least OF IT. and 10 protect ITSELF
from the CALLING attacks OF the Enquirer, and WIN
view to divert Them it at began TRADE against
Nesmerism not because Of any interest felt IN the
subject hut because the Editor of the Enquirer had
examined for himself and believed it, II was subject
easily r,dicuedit one, and perhaps the only one
of which this Editor could state at he knec nothing
refuse eren TO .rness an experiment. and yet coarse
Remuneration create excitement. 10 operate against
the ENQUIRER it was necessary 10 destroy me- hence
though unknown 10 HIM, column after column, OF 10"
ribadry vapid jests and coarser abuse, was poured
forth me- for haotng dtroted some ee'ee months %
nm ;nrestio alton Of CERTAIN strange phenomena erhi
uting htmseires in The constitution Of man. And
| IN The CITY Of Richmond, this Editor has sought
to make party question OF the annuncation, "thal
man can influence has feliO,o man by mesmsrism.
wonder # he will do the same thing with lard oH?-try
IA array Wings and Democrats against each other, as
TO that discovery, and make it pivot for future cleo
tons TO turn upon' Is not lard oil much party
que ston mes,erism Surely it is for this Editor
| could easily array the whale fisheries of the East
against the pork raising plantations OF the West
And this is the principal organ OF the Wing party Of
Virginia located at point where there is more admit
ted Wing talent, than at any other place IN the Union
in society, famed for its refinement oil manner ane
decacy OF taste. Does such an organ represent suci
a party. Reader pause and tell me can 1t expect
through such an orGun 10 win the rejecting portion
Of our citizens over to its side Hangs not like
dead weight, dragging that party to the earth Has
il not vel to make atonement for outragng public OPT
nion by advocating The most revolutionary plot ever
conceived country Is The impu,atIon, That othe
citizens of Richmond were engaged in IT. still TO prevai
throughout the land Is this matter settled, because
this Editor has sought TO make mesmerIsm party
question: or because he has treated this subject as
hoax: and, when that would not take with the commu
nity has then sought to justify lt-and, finding tina
course more obnoxious still, falls back again. and, II
The sad dilemma to which lie is reduced seeks 10 augl
away Believe me, this course will never satisfy the
people Of Virginia
But regard it as hoax the part of this editor
which the community do not, ard Will not believe; +"
no averment to that effect has yet been made, and d
ever mar so hoax HIMSELF He reminds me of an CIV
which, fixing his eyes person who continued Il
| walk round him, was delighted with the fun, Ina
he twisted his own neck eff Yes regard it as hoax
but remember the fable Of the boy and The wolf
The boy who was tending his focks, would, to hoa
his eiehbors cry out roif." uoJ!" and whei
they ran to his assistance, he laughed at their folly
They became famil,arsed to hls cry, and when
the wolf in reality, and the boy cred out
they said it was q hour, and sad and overwhelming
was the destruction because the energies oil the people
had been lulled 10 rest by hoaI. am sorry have
written so much could not in justice TO myself, have
written less and this is the only time have trou
b!ed you with line during this controversy, and The
only time | expect to do 50, the Enquirer wall please
publish this, and oblige !. >. rhENCH.
Petersburg, Sep. "a.