Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-11-16
wooDsroCg:
THURSDAY, NOV. 16, ls43.

MEsMER1sM.-Mr.J j. P. Webster deli
vered lecture upon the subject of Ami
nal Magnetism, Clairyoyance, &C., IN
the Academy in this place accompanied
with experiments upon bis subject, while
in the Nervo- Magnetic sleep.
We were present Oh the occasion, and
had fair opportunities far as that OF
any one in the louse-of witnessing the
experiments. We took notes of the per-
formances, and give the following state
ment as the result of what we saw. II
there was deception practiceI upon the
senses of the audience, we confess that
we were unable to discover it. There
were those present, who imagined that
they could discover something deceptive
in the movements of the operator-some
hocus pocus maneuvreiug, to give the
subject some idea Or intimation of the
nature of the articles presented for des-
cription by him (the subject.) We have
nothing at all to do with what they saw.
We do not recollect, however, of hear
ing any one present make known his de-
lection of imposition on the part OF Mr..
Webster, IN has presence. Now we think
that it would have rendered an important
service to the community, and brought
merited odium upon the impostor,f for those
who pretend to have discovered any un-
fairness in Mr.. WIS experiments-nay,
it seems to us that they should have i'm
mediately reported their discovery of
imposition. But perhaps they had good
reasons for not doing so.
Owing to the inclemency of the wea-
Their, the audience was but SMALL
The subject (Frederick) was put into the
Mesnerlc sleep, by passes performed by
Mr.. Webster. Mr.. w. then. made expe-
riments in magnetic attraction. The
audience were requested to indicate. in
private manner, whether he (the mes
meriser) should cause the subject to raise
hand or foot, as they might desire
Requests were twice made in the manner
indicated, and both times successful
The audience were then requested Sc
cretly to present articles to be described
by the subject. A piece of gold was
put into the hands of the Mesmeriser,
and the subject requested to tell what
it was. He pronounced it to be fiat
something valuable-would like to have
it-said that it was worth five. dollars
described both sides of the piece-and
gave the date accurately. A thimble
was presented. The subject said it was
round and long-said Is was used in sew
ing-was used by the gals. A paper
containing three engravlngs, and which
had not been seen by the Mesmeriser,
the subject, or any one among the audi
ence, was presented. They were sever
ally described with astonishing accuracy.
Other articles were presented, and de-
scrbed with equal precision. His de-
scriptlon of several gentlemen was no
less accurate. Among the gentlemen
described by the subject, was ore placed
Immediately in the rear of his chair.
His clothing was described--a watch.
which the gentleman held in his hand,
was described, and the time of night by
it told precisely.
The above is correct statement of
what ne saw. And we would remark
again, that we have nothing to do with
what Others saw: we looked through our
own spectacles, saw with our own eyes,
and drew our own conalasions,4 after
witnessing the experiments above allu-
ded to. We went to the house with an
unbiased mind--neither acknowledging
the truth Of the science, nor rejecting it;
for, never having witnessed any thing Of
the kind, we were mol prepared to pro-
rounce judgment. as some gentlemen
have dore. We have not fully made up
our mind upon the subject, because we
cannot comprehend it; nor can we en-
tirely reject it on that account. What
we saw was no deusion-we were con-
founded-and the whole matter left, 20
our mind, shrouded in inexpllcable and
impenetfabie mystery.
IF Mesmerism Be true science, the
development and investigation OF the
now hidden principles OF laws involved
in its existence, will constitute new
and grand era in the history Of science
if false, the time must ere long arrive,
when thoss who have been instrumental
in imposing upon their fellow men, will
be detected. and held up to universal ex-
o,roffoyy