Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-04-16
Sc Professor Smith---Mesmerism---
Humbug.

We find the following, which viii be interesting 10
our town readers, in the Hamilton, Ohio, Telegraph"
of April 2. We should take it as a particular favor,
if the editor of the Telegraph will give us a descrip-
ton of the "suIjecf" who 'did' Professor Smith out
of his watch as described. We have an impression
that he is the same accomplished little fellow, who in
addition to his accidental aid of Mr.. Smith in this
town last winter, also gave lessons as a professor
in the art of Chirography, and, if we should guess by
the number of young ladies Of the supper ten" who
favored him with their intimacy, in the art of lore
making likewise. For it is a fact, which ought to be
a lesson of shame to certain persons, that the we'll
dressed loafer to whom we allude. and who finally
ran off without paying his board-bill and sundry other
matters of the kind,-it is a fact we say, that he was
not only made an especial pet of by the supper ten -
but young ladies', some of whom would no doubt turn
up their pretty noses in exquisite disdain at any hon.
est mechanic of their acquaintance, seemed TO feel
themselves highly honored by the attentions of the
puppy to whom We allude. If they are wise, they
will be a little more careful of such loafng geniuses
hereafter, or peradventure they may some time find
themselves worse ''done for than even Professor
Smith.
Mesmerism---WO nderfmI Improvement
in the Science.
Professor Smith, of Jacksonville. Indiana, has
been enlightening the good citizens of our towns for
the few evenings past, upon the wonderful science Of
mesmerism. He came well recommended. He had
letters from - - of Indiana, and other dis
tinGuished individuals of the west and south west, at
testing his skill and ability. The lecture Of the first
evening was free; upon the second the dimes were
demanded, and were freely given by those who wish
ed ''to live and learn" A young gentleman acct
IDENTIFY happened to be in town who had been his "sub-
ject at Indianapolis, Louisville, and other places, and
become his Subject" here, through whom the won
derful Developments of mesmerism were to be made
manifest. The experiment of the first evening sue
ceeded 10 a charm. a blind man, an honest, indus
trious and unsuspecting citizen was brought up, and
Professor Smith, Carefully whispering to his 'sub-
ject'' that the man was blind) enquired of him,
what was the matter with the man = The '~tsuIject'
Immediately replied that he was blind. The audience
opened their eyes and stared, and all were ready to
exclaim-the science of mesmerism must be true.
The next evening, Professor Smith, after he had mag
netised his subject, held out to him his gold watch !:
now, said the Professor, here is my watch, if you can
take hold of it, you shall have tit shall be yours,
and turning round to the audience, called upon them
to witness that what he said should be true. The
Subject Immediately took hold of the watch, and
thereupon a scuffle ensued between the Subject and
Professor, as to who should keep it. The ''subject"
came off conquerer. The watch, however, was de-
livered up to a third person, to be kept by him until it
was legally decided who is the proper owner. We
understand from the '~'subject," that all his expert
ments with hin is mere humbuggery, and althoughhe
has assisted this man Smith to deceive the people, he
thought it proper to expose him and has accordingly
done so. His exposure bears the evidence of truth
upon the face of it, for face to face he tells this Pro-
fessor Smith, the place where-the time when-and
the manner in which he has deceived the people, and
Smith does not deny it. The whole has been a rich
scene, and we hope the eyes of the people are now
opened.