The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-08-24

SKETCHES AND ILLUSTRATIONS MEDICAL DELU-
|sioNs.-KEvIvNG THE DEAD.-Mantaccini, the ia
nous charatan of Paris, a young man Of good
family and having in few years squandered large
estate and reduced himself to beggery, he felt that
he must exercise his ingenuity or starve., In this
state OF mind he cast his eyes round the various de-
vices which save from indulgence and are most favor
ed by fortune. He soon perceived that charatanism
was that on which this blind benefactress avished her
avors with most pleasure and in the greatest album
dance An adroit and loQuacious domestic was the
only remaining article of all his former grandeur;
he dressed him up in gold laced livery, mounted
splendid chariot, and started on the tour under the
name, style, and title of the celebrated Dr. Mantle
cin who cures all diseases with single touch or a
simple look"
Not finding that he obtained as much practice as
his daring genius anticipated, he determined to resort
to still higher fl ghts. He left Paris and modestly
announced himself at Lyons ''the celebrated Dr.
Mantaccini, who revyes the dead at will" To re-
move all doubt, he declared that in fifteen days he
would go to the common church yard and restore to
lie its inhabitants, though buried for ten years
This declaration excited general rumor and muir
muir against the DOCTOR who, not in the least dscon-
certed applied to the magistrate, and requested that
he might be put under guard TO prevent his escape
until he should perform his undertaking. The
proposition inspired the greatest confidence and
the whole city came to consult the clever empiric
and purchase his bourne de pie. His consultations
were most numerous, and he received large sums
of money. At length the famous day approached,
and the doctors valet fearing for his shoulders
began to manifest signs of uneasiness sYou
know nothing OF mankind, said the quack to his SER
want, "be quiet" Scarcely had he spoken these
WORDS, when the following letter was presented to
him from rich citizen =" Sir, the great operation
you are going to perform has broken my rest. have
wife buried for some time who was fury and
am unhappy enough already without her resurrection
In the name of Heaven do not make the experiment
will give you fifty louis to keep your secret to your
self" In an instant after two dashing beaux arrived,
who, with the most earnest supplications entreated
him not to raise their old father formerly the great
est miser in the city, as in such event. they would
be reduced to the most deplorabe indigence They
offered him fee Of fifty louis but the doctor shook
his head in doubtful compliance Scarcely had they
retired, when young widow, on the eve of matrl-
mony, threw herself at the feet Of the quack and with
sobs and signs, impored his mercy.
In short, from morn till night the doctor received
letters, visits, presents fees TO an excess which abso
lutely overwhelmed him. The minds of the citizens
were differently and violently agated some by fear
and others by curiosity that the chief magistrate
OF the city waited upon the DOCTOR and said Sir [
have not the least doubt from my experience Of YOUR
rare talents, that you will be able TO accomplish the
resurrection IN our church the day after to-mor-
row. according TO your promise but pray Won To oh
serve That our city in the utmost uproar and conf
son. and to consider the dreadful revolution the sue
cess OF your experiment must produce in every family:
entreat you, therefore, not 10 attempt it, but 10 90
away and thus restore the Tranquility Of the CITY, In
justice, however, TO your and divine talents |
shall give you an attestation, in due FORM under our
SEAL hat you can revive the dead and that it wasour
own fault we were not eyewitness Of your powern
Tins certificate was duly signed and delivered and
Dr. Mantoccini left Lyons for other cities to work
new miracles. In short time he returned to Paris
loaded with gold, where he laughed at Il e popular
credulity.-Physc & Physician