Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-07-07
M L S q % u u a 81 z o
Extract from English Papcrs.)
N Nj a l. nj A G N ISM,


With regard TO "animal magnetism,n as il
is called, the case stands thus: II is proved
by experiment. that in persons of delicate
nervous organizations. certain most remarkable
effects can be produced in the nervous system
by the agency OF another human being stand
ing at moderate distance oud-Ilirectng the
points oil the fingers towards the brain, or NOV
ing them slowly up and down opposite the
lace. In the course of a few minutes a Stale
resembling somnambulism supervenes,in which
the eyes are closed, the power of vol
untary motion suspended, and, although per-
iecl Consciousness Is retained, the will is COM
pletely paralyZed. Some sort of relation
seems to be established between the operator
and patient-involuntry nervous twitchipps
are excited by the motions of the former al n
considerable distance, and the nerves seem
even TO be subjected TO the will of the mao
neuzer From this state the patient is reused
simultaneously, by the simple process of the
magnetzer drawing his fingers transversely
across the brow. The eyelids start open. as
II a spring were touched, and the natural state
is restored as completely and suddenly as in
the case of a somnambulist awakened from
sleep. Up to this point there is no doubt of
the facts They have been repeatedly wit
messed and ascertained under circumstances
winch preclude the possibility of imposture :
indeed they are by no means of rare and ex-
traordmary occurrence, and any person who
likes may convince himself of their truth bv
experimenting on his friends. Beyond this.
however, certain extraordinary facts are as,
serted by the adopts in the science, CONCERNING
the truth of which we say nothing 1t is said
that In certain rare cases a state beyond thai
OF common somnambulsm, above described.
supervenes, called ciairUoyance, or clear see
ing, from the miraculous power of seeino
things by new and unknown sense In this
state it is asserted that the patient can read
with his eyes shut or bandaged, and can see
through walls and discern things going ON at n
distance ola hundred miles 1t is further as
serted that he becomes insensibe to pain: and
well authenticated story is told of a lady
who had cancer extracted from her breast at
| hospital at Paris, without being at all aware
oil IL until the operation was over. For the
truth OF these and other mysterious facts con.
nected with the state of clairroyanoe, we do
not pretend to vouch. ii is enosgh that they
have been repeatedly asserted and as repeat
edly denied by respectable men, who have had
opportunities OF investigation, and that, as mat
tiers now stand, we must be content 10
-''equa folly call.
believing nothing, or believing a.''
With regard to the cause of these phenome-
ma, we are equally at sea- The orthodox theo-
~ of grave, well established physicians, who.
from llarvey's time downwartls, have always
set their faces against novelties, is, that such
part as cannot DE put down TO delusion, must be
attributed TO imagination an explanation
which, with all due submission appears to MS
only TO adjourn the difficulty; since, that the
imagination should produce such singular or
anamolous effects in the nervous system, is a
thing quite as wonderful and mysterious as
that there should be magnetic influence or
atmosphere. The second theorv--that of the
professors Of animal magnetism generally
is, that the nervous fluid, or energy, which.
from the experiments of Sir G.. Bell, Provost,
Buquerel, and others, is known TO exist, and
to have a strong analogy to the electrical, is
capable of being acted upon and disturbed by
the nervous energy Of another human body,
properly directed by an effort Of the will, and
ti,at this disturbance in the nervous system
dcranges the relations between voliton and
motion, and causes the other lomaIous and
mysterious phenomena which are witnessed.
third theory has been lately put for
ward by Mr. Braid, of Manchester, which
differs from The second, By asserting that the