Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-11-18
For fhef Vermont Phenix.
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.


Tie world has never been wanting for
men who were ready TO ridicule the adro.
Gates Of any new discovery, or TO pronounce
that impossible which ibey did not under
stand but true philosophy would dictate
thai nothing should be decreed impossible
until proved 10 be contrary TO the known
laws Of nature. and then impossible only 10
men, since lie who gave The universe her
laws can Of course reverse them at His will
Napoleon, IN view Of the great power Of the
human Intellect declared that the word nm
possible should be taken from the vocabua-
~. But the opposers Of Animal Magnetism
tell Us that the phenomena Of Magnetism
are not only impossible, but accuse US Of ar
roraiing 20 ourselves power which belongs
20 Con alone: and thereby Ginning 10 our
selves Omnipoience; but the same might
be sind, with equal proprie'y Of Copernicus
and Newton ioT advocating the theory Of the
Earih's motion and the laws Of rrariiasion.
Or Of Franklin for his discovery Of the laws
which govern Electricity They have dis
covered Or gscerained that such laws exist.
but have never been aide 10 explain their
mode Of existence Mesrner and other.
have discovered some Of the laws Of Animal
Magnetism. but have not been able 10 deter.
mine the causes Of their operations.
The oPposers of Animal Magnetism are Of
The same class, as The upposers Of Phrenolo-
~ and every other new science but when
We speak q upposers, we would make dis
tinctiun between those who suspend their
Judgement iur The purpose Of an opportunity
70 see and Investigate and those who con-
denim without INVESTIGATING. like the Physi-
ciuu IN New Hampshire. who when invited
TO make gn examination OF an individual
who was al the time under thesuhuence of
the Magnetic sleep. perempioriIr refused
But we are grateful that the decision OF such
men Is not final, and that candid and rehec-
tive men, and men Of science and exper,-
ence, may be appealed TO
We may be asked with propriety what
good can possibly result from Animal Mar
neilsm? And we are ready TO answer
First II adds 30 our knowledge Of the dark
science Of the human mind il establishes
the theory Of the existence Of the PhrenoIorl-
cal organs, beyond the possibility OF res-
sonoble doubt and lhis we are prepared 10
prove by actual experiment on any and al
proper occasions
It IS also useful, incidentally, ID some dis
eases Or the nervous system. &c. How far
the research NAV be carried we do no; u-e-
teud 10 determine. nor are We among those
who view the subject as 4 mystery or with
superstition; but there are certain phenone-
ma which We know mar be produced br
Magneiizing some individuals the cause OF
which We do not fully understand bu1 vet
We doubt noi they are the operations Of some
established law Of nature. For instance. We
cannot tel wby the mind Of the ruap-
neiIzed = subject 10 the control or viii OF
the magaeuzer but We know II to be the
fact 10 a ceriaiR extent We know that per-
sons IN magnetic sleep Will distinguish COL
ors, talk sing, and act, under the influence of
the different chronological organs when re-
sPectively magnelized. They are also IN
sensible 10 the touch or voice of rny excep
the magnetizer. And we hold ourselves IN
10 prove the above facts al any pro-
per time and place, 10 the satisfaction of auy
candid and reasonable mind and we would
say 10 all who condemn rs. and also 10
those who condemn The science. that we
think would be but fair to t-y US before
you give judgement against US: bui II ron
ha'e already passed sentence of condemps-
ton, please TO try us afterwards. for an IN
veshgauon OF the subject is what We desire:
and If we sincerely pray Tor augit il is thai
olgotrE and superstition may give place 10
philanthropy, benevolence and sympathy;-
when harsh and reving epiihets shall be
zpuringly used and SPIN Of honest investi-
gauon and research prevail.
=, PRACTICAL PHEENoLoGlsT AND COS
dor0LrTE.