Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-10-11

at the Depot, and having long promised myself the
pleasure of paying visit to the family OF The Rev.
Francis w. Scott, rode overt" the residence of that
gentleman When ! arrived, Mr.. Scott was rot at
home, aud after spending about m hour with Mrs s
babe her adieu was about leaving In passing through
the yard stopped few minutes in MIR. y office 10
see MIR. James Chapman, member of Mr.. s. house
hold, and practitioner at the Caroline Bar We con
versed about Mesmerism. Mr.. C. violent in his de-
nuncatons against and said he would hardly credit it
it he saw II. proposed, more for amusement than any
thing else, that he should let try to mesmerse him!
lie agreed then concluded would remain to dinner
--und having had the horse stabbed, took Mr.. e.. up
stairs his Office and commenced. La ten fifteen
minutes he was nearly useep-coud keep his eyes
open, seemed very drowsy-and feeling cramped and
tired, aroused him. lie contended that ii was natu
raj sleep-and did not know whether it was or not,
conld not decide.
We went into dinner when the bell rang and, after
dining, had the horse brought out and was getting
ready to start, when MIR. Scott arrived We sat chat
ting few minutes, on general SUBJECTS when his LIT
tie niece, interesting child about eight years of age
his daughter and lady came in Mr.. :. lett me with
them His little child, about three years old, came in
and having he ard her father speaking of the mesmerc
passes, and showing how they were said 10 be made
commenced playing with her mother, initiating the
passes remarked that il was possible that person
might be mesmerized Miss w S, "a young lady, about
years Of age) called her little cousin TO her, SAYING
patty, let me mesmeze you The little thing got up
laughing, and opposite her cousin both commenced
looking the Of the other but bursting into I'm
moderate fits of laughter. remarked, that believed
could control my countenance better than MISS w.
s. and asked little Patty TO sit opposite me. She
agreed, blushing and laughing | placed her in the
chair, took her hands in mine, ond gazed steadily
ard deibe rately into her eyes. She met my gaze win
u laugh but continued looking, with unwnk'ng eye,
upon her By degrees, her gaze became more steady ,
she tried in vain withdraw il; but she was IN the
situation of Coleridges unwilling wedding guest. l
"hed" her with my "glittering eye, and "wouid
not let her go She commenced wnkIng vio-
len,ly Mrs. S. approached at nod from me, and
seeing her wink hereyes So remarked, that chld won
sleep; she wnks too much | said nothing, but con-
tnued nv gaze steadily, and feeling at the same time,
that the phenomenon of mesmerlc seep-wak'ng was
about to take place-In about two minutes more she
was asleep. gently laid her head OF the back of the
chair, and commenced the passes Il would remark
that had made several passes soon as she appeared
to he drowsy.) made about twenty. Mrs S. asked,
Patty are you asleep NO answer. Mrs S, elevat.
ing her voice, "Paty, Patty, are you asleep an
swer. In low tone of voice, ! said PATTY, she
re piled distinctly, "Sir = care you asleep Patty
eyes sir" she promptly answered
| Mr.. Scott now came in the room, and ], Wild with
delight and trembling like aspen leaf, with the full
tide of almost delirous joy that was thrilling my
whole system, iatered out TO him my triumph, and
pointed 10 the effects of my SPELL
At this moment, lady handed me piece OF pickle.
II was handed cautiously and soon as carried 1t 10
my mouth, and commenced noselessly chewing, she
commenced chewing also. l asked her, "Patty, what
have in my mouth, she replied, "pickle
| Mr.. Chapman called in, and still believing II
was humbug, came behind me and pu,a chew OF to-
bucco in my hand put ii in my month, without Know
! ing wha, Il as-As soon as commenced chewing, a
tremor seemed to seize her. her countenance became
pale, and she manifested strong symptoms OF nausea
asked her, Patty, what have | in my mouth: She
replied, 81 don't know, but it is very bad
| | then asked her, "Pa'iy, have you any objections
to being bllndfolded:" mo, Sir" "May Mr.. Chapman
blindfoid you :" "Yes, Sir" She was then blind
folded remarked 10 her, after seeing that the band
age 2as securely placed over her eyes
"pa,,y, would you willingly tell ialsehood :" She
answered. with some emphasis, "No, Sir gwen.
Patty would you deceive your aunt and your uncle II
YOU could =, "No, Sir. "Wlll you tell me the truth,
PATTY ," Eyes, Sir. "PsLy, are you asleep -
Eyes Sir
You will perceive that my last questions were pro.
pounded with view Of intimdating her if she was
deceving. Although could not believe that child
eight years of age, reared in praying and p'ous Ia
mily could deliberately lie, yet wished not TO be oy
possibility deceived myseil OH suolee' VI su'"
thrilling interest.
I tumbler with wine was passed cautiously TO mel
had no passed it my lips than she began last
ing it with me. e was under the impression that II
French brandy when tasted II asked. "" IA,
am drinking Patty" She replied "wine "No, SAID
( 81, il brandy "-"You are mistaken, Sir, said Mrs.
I Scott, at is wine!
| There were now in the room five persons beside the
mesme rizer and mesmerizee Water was handed 10 me
She tasted with me- making swallow for swallow, with
the regularity OF clock Work, anu the iolow'hg 'ooA
place
Whnt am doing, Patty? drinking What am J
drinking? "Water." Vinegar silently ,ubstitnt.
ed-she drew up her face, smacked her lips, and sad
"Vinegar.
was skep,ical no more nor on individual in
the room determined 10 try the sense OF touch q
piece of stalactite was put my hand from behind as
passed nv hand take it, To- her hand was passed he
hind her too took the substance and felt II, DISCO
yeripy That she seemed 10 be feeling something also
| | remarked, "Pat,y hold in my hand something
i What is IT, don't know ais il hard o: soft -
"Hard" "Rough smooth" "Rongh.'
DR.. Scott, neighbor and relative Of Mr.. SCOTS,
came in shook hands ,oith him-holding Pat'ys right
i b;m-athough she had refused 10 answer any other
person, save myself! | asked her. "Putty, do you
wish to walk - She replied, eyes" made TENT,
as though were nbout TO rse-she did so too hall
arose-she followed the action. | suddenly drew my
self erect and quick thought she drew herself up
III then commenced walking about the room-she
mmcking every action with an unity OF precision ,hal
osonished every body. DR.. Scott was surprzed -
While was walking about, We approached corner o,
the room Some person put noiseiessIy into my hand
small piece of bacon. As us put in my mouth,
she commenced tasting and said, ''lneat" asked her
"wlat kind' She REPLIED "bacon II would occupy loo
much time to give you oil that happened on this occa'
sion Suffice il, that Mr.. Chapman, who was scept'c
before declared laughing, that If ne were not mem
Der Of the church, he would fight any man That Denied
mesmerism.
Dr. Scott told me he would like for his friend, Dr.
Norris to witness the phenomena OF sleep waking and
proposed 10 to mezmerise FATTY the next Gay, al
o'cock-a although wished 10 leave in order to be
with my family staying about IS miles above de
termined to remain, and told Dr. Scott 10 bring DR.
Morris, although would promise nothing was but
n novice knew nothing in fact about the science, bui
what had been eliced that evening.
now restored little Patty, by dspelling the fluid
She reused up, and seemed confused and surprised al
seeing SO many around her. With my promise in vie Z"
TO Dr. s., it may be presumed passed restless night
but determining tina, the charge Ct COLLISION should
not be made as soon brenkfasted mounicd horse
and rode down to the Chesterfield Depot, where re-
manned until it was time 10 return to dinner rooe
back to dinner and found my arrival an addition 10
the family group of four ladies', all strangers to me
, About -four o'clock Dr. Scott arrived, bringing DR.