Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-11-04
For the Vermont Phoenix.
ANIMAL MAGNETISM

ror the vermont fhmnlN.
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
II is an easy matter for person with a
tolerable share of wit to select any subject
whatever, and by throwing into the back
ground or totally concealing its real merits,
and industriously exhibiting in bold relief
its apparent defects, to place it in ridicu-
lous point of view, and perhaps to prejudice
the minds of those who have but superb
ca acquaintance with it. Almost every
great revolution in the social, political, or
literary world has been made the subject of
satire and rdicule, and not unfrequently
have the actors i'll such revolutions been
made the victims not only of rdicule but
even of open and undisguised persecution.
Improvements in mental philosophy are
among those which are least readily receiv-
ed by the mass of mankind, and which are
most bitterly opposed by those who are una
able to comprehend them or unwilling to
give up long established theory for the
sake even of better. Thus was Ramus
prosecuted in France. in the sixteenth CEN
fury for daring to contest the Instability of
the Aristotelian philosophy, and attempt
ing to establish in its stead a more rational
system of mind. Thus did Spurzheim, one
of the founders of the science of Phrenology,
suffer from the detracton of the ignorant
and bigoted. But in both cases truth ,rl-
umphed over calumny, ridicule, and perse-
cution, and thus will it always triumph. Its
onward. progress may be retarded for time,
but eventually it will trample down all OPP
position. Animal Magnetism is now the
butt at which the shafts Of satire are levelled
! with the bitterest acrimony, and every puny
satirist feels at perfect liberty to vent the
overfiowings of his gall upon this theory
Some even descend to blackguardism, as did
a correspondent in late number of the
Phoenix, and, emboldened by the conscious
ness that they are attacking an unpopular
cause, spew forth harsh epithets in unspar-
ing profusion upon the theory and its sup
porters. This is, however, not much to be
wondered at. Man is always disposed to
reject what is new, BECAUSE it is new
Goldsmith said, that whatsoever is new is
always wrong;" and the greater half of man
A kind endorse this maxim by their practice.
4 IL to novelty be added mystery, its damna-
ton is doubly sure, and this is the case with
Animal Magnetism. 1t may be said that it
! is not novel, that it is as ancient as the Eas-
tern Magi, and this is to some extent true,
but such Improvements have been made in
the science within the last half century, that
itJustly deserves place among the discover
les of the age. The effects produced upon
the human system by the application of
magnetism, are indeed mysterious, "passing
strange" But we have no right to infer
that what we cannot comprehend isnot true
The facts in the case cannot be explained
1 by reference to any ordinary mode of sou-
ton, but still they are facts, well attested,
and beyond the possibility of contradiction.
Were we to reject every thing which we
cannot understand our ponderous volumes
of scientific lore would dwindle to few thin
duodecimos and the Christians creed would
be as short as the "lhere is no God but
God, and Mahomet is his prophet" of the
deluded Saracen. Nature is full of mira
Giles, Of appearances too mysterious for NOR
tai mind to fathom. The grass beneath our
feet is sufficient to battle the wisdom of the
most enlightened man on earth. We know
that it grows the hOw is known only to Him
who causes its growth. Man himself is a
stupendous mystery, a combination of mir
acles. His whole organization, mental and
\ physical, is governed by laws which we
cannot explain. We have the facts we
Know that such and such events take place,
we may penetrate in some degree into the
hrSt principles upon which they depend but
\ the full removal of the veil which hides them
from our vision, is reserved to a state of ex-
j. istence beyond the present Thus it is
with the science in question. The facts ap-
pear as wildly as the rays of the MONDAY
sun; when we attempt to reconcile them
with any preconceived system, we find our
selves shrouded in impenetrable darkness.
Men of the highest moral and intellectual
worth have testified to the reality of the facts
reported. Many of the supporters of this
theory are members of the learned profess
slons, and as such favorably known TO the
community. Rev. La Roy Sunderland, ed
itor OF the Magnet, has acquired a well
grounded reputation as editor of the ~ Y.
Waterman, religious paper of no little en-
inence, among the denomination of Chris
'lans by whom it is supported DIR. Buchan-
an, who has made great discoveries in the
science, is an eminent physician in Louis.
VILE; DIR. Mott, President of Union Gollege,
is also believer. When we cross the At
lantlc, we find it supported by some, whose
population for scientific and literary acquire