The Weekly register. (Ponola [sic] Panola, Miss.) 1843-1844, 1844-11-30
From tho London Morning Chronicle.
The Clairvoyance DeIusion.

From tlo London Morning Chronicle.
The Clairvoyance DeIusion.
We readily give insertion to the fol
lowing letter from gentleman Unknown
character and attainments, whose name
we have his permission to give to any
one duly authorized to ask it:
Sir: Without asserting that the the
cry Or PRACTICE of mesmerism is all hum
bug, the exhibition of clairvoyance and
previous catalePtic phenomena which l
witnessed on Monday last. at DR.. Elliot
sons, and which was so lauded in the
Times of Tuesday, presented features
so doubtful and partial in the trial as to
call for a mDre complete investigation,
were /: only 10 n axe sure certain prem
lses necessary 10 true and honest CON
vlction, upon which alone a man of re
Election could raise his belief. This
youth, Alexis, had his eyes banda ged,
after having been thrown into the mes
meric coma, Il think it is caIled,) du-
ring which operation he made the most
disagreeable contortions, as if he was
convulsed, painfully exciting the mind,
of the inexperienced spectator as | was,
never having seen any such exhibition
before. These bandages were three in
number. one horizontal and two diago-
nal, with handful of wool over each
eye. After and during this bandaging
the same continued contortion took
place, and during the subsequent alleged
proofs Of clairvoyance. In this state,
sufficiently bandaged, so that every one
declared he must be blindfold, a French
book was held nearly parallel with
his eyes and at an angle to them, so that
a man with his eyes unbandaged could
see the page. so as 10 read it with diff :
Guilty; and Alexis, painfully straiaing
read two lines, which was considered
sufficient proof by the operators. He
had been put into the cataleplic state, be-
fore, ana his legs being extended, man
was invited TO stand upon them. A
handkerchief being placed midray down
the lower leg, the youth recIined on
chair of large dimensions, with a sIop
ing back and a deep seat, so that he
was little removed from a straight line,
pressing The arms of the chair at the
junction Of the upper and lower portion
of his arms This test was successful
a man stood on the youths legs IN that
extended state for half minute or more
when every one appeared satisfied
These TWO feats of reading blindfod,
and of holding man on ones legs,
were both tried by myself, that evening,
in the presence and by the management
of three friends. as bandaged first
with three handkerchiefs, exactly as
the youth Alexis was, and then a book
was placed at the bottom Of my nose,
q having got il to proper angle, read
the lines very easily-seeing with my
left eye (Which in every one has an
acute angle of vision) During the ex
periments of Monday at DR. .lIiotson's
the nose of Alexis, &t.so myself, showed
an open space, the other being stuffed
WIN = ION; and, upon mentioning my
doubts to DR.. Elliotson, that gentleman
requested the. youth TO hold back hi
head in order that might examine
This first raised my suspicious, as NJ
pressed up his lip, and cOntorted his FAC
SO as to conceal the gap at the side Q
the nose, which | again distinctly sa"
when he resumed his upright position
The experiment on myself was repeat
ed with cotton; and on being above
to comfort my face as Alexis did, an
! Rub my bandage as he did in his convu
r sions, got sufiicient-opening 10 see
| distinctly as TO read, and to show
d each of those present, that perst