The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-05-08

ANTHONY AEsaEER---s1AcNETIssf.
Low AM sciasrs nAxrro PLAIN olRL BnAurrru'
Mesmef was native Of Austria, and studio
medicine in the University Of Vienna He wa
always remarkable for a dreamy and imagina
tive turn Of thought, and was indefatigable il
his applications to study. AT a very early age
he obtained the degree Of Doctor, and in his in
augural thesis he introduced the hypothesis o
fluid which he first termed electric, and sub
sequently denominated magnetic In shor
time the young doctor began to attract public at
tention in Vienna, where many regarded him a.
an inspired physician, learned iluminato--ir
short, he became an enthusiastic magnetizer
and the most miraculous cures were attributed
to him. The faculty of Vienna, annoyed at the
praises bestowed on Mesmer's alledged skill, be
gan to manifest their disapproval Of him by de-
claring him to be a quack, and disgrace to the
medical profession. After a time, Mesmer los
the popularity he had so rapidly gained in Wen
ma; he was no longer regarded as regular Uni
Versity Doctor, but as an empyric and mad
triumphal visit to Paris, where the establish
ment of the Mesmerian School speedily raised
him from poverty to wealth; where he was re
vered like an ancient oracle, and worshipped a.
an almost divine benefactor of the human race
Meanwhile, the opposition which Mesmer en-
countered during the latter months of his abode
in Vienna, served only to confirm the young en-
thusiasts faith in his own theories and an Incl
dent which occurred on the Prater, il the pres
ence Of considerable assemblage of persons,
had the effect of restoring some portion of his
lost popularity. Mesmer was walking beneath
the shady trees Of the promenade, apparently
forgetting for while the Authorizations which
occupied his hours Of study and solitude. His
impotence was evident. He stamped his foot
on the ground angrily, then stopped short, and
cast searching look among the promenaders
He had all the air of lover suffering under dis
appointed expectation, and tortured by the alb
sence ola mistress at the time and place of rem
dcD0us. And mesmer was lover; he was deep
~ enamored to lady-a lady of rank-one to
whom he had never spoken, whom he saw eve
~ day either in the outrageous avenues of the
Prater, or on the grassy bank of the Danube
He now looked for her in vain.
MEsxER was vending his way homeward, in
the moody feeling naturally created by this dis
appointment, when suddenly turning through
one Of the thick clusters Of trees which adorn the
Prater, he beheld young female seated on the
grass. She was very pretty, but pale and evi.
IDENTIFY laboring under the languor consequent on
protracted Illness Her dress though neat and
becoming, betokened poverty. Mesmer, struck
with her appearance, stopped and fixed his eyes
cast hers down, but continued to sit motionless
as statue. A sudden thought flashed through
the mind of Mesmer; the genius of occult sci;
ence moved him to inspiration, and he resolved
to mount the tripod Of the oracle.
Advancing towards the young female, and
gently taking her hand, he said: sYou seem to
be i'll, Frauline?" 81 am" she replied, in faint
tone Of voice. ssIm DOCTOR" resumed Mes.
mel. 'and if you are disposed to follow my di.
rections, think l might assist your recovery
whilst you in your turn, may render me very
woman, with an expression of astonishment.-
Merely by remaining seated where you are, anc
looking steadfastly in my face. The girl tmidly
raised her eyes, and fixed them on the counte
nance of Mesmer, who stood gazing at her will
look which seemed to absorb her Utmost feel
ings. He then passed his hands repeatedly O
yer her forehead, her face, and her arms; frs
with gentle undulating motion, and afterward
with rapid jerking movement. The eyes
the patient closed and opened again sever;
times, q. if STRUGGLING against the subduin
from the influence of mental anguish, for sh
sighed deeply, and the tears rolled down he
cheeks. But this sadness was merely transient
bright smile presently lighted up her features
her head fell back, and she sank into gent
slumber. 1t was magnetic sleep. the sleep
somnambulsm! But this was not enough f
Mesmer, to whom magnetism was a valuabl
phenomenon ouly so far as it tended to excl,
and produce in the magnetized subjects, othe
phenomena and still greater prodigies-vi;
clairvoyance, spiritual vision and ecstacy.
ssWhat are you thinking off, inquired Mes
mer addressing his subject.
~ am thinking" answered she, hestatingly
"of the anxiety you suffered this evening"
"You know, then, that was looking for some
thing on the Prater?"
81 know that your were looking for some per
SON.
"Can you tell me where he is at this mo
ment?" .--.-..
81 can tell you where shei is"
"Well, then, where is she?'
"Stay-no-no- cannot do moi
see quite clearly
"Look again-look near you. and look fa
away-very far away perhap s-endeavo t.
see, for very much wish to know where the
lady is"
"Ah" exclaimed the somnambule, ssnow I see
her. She is in the Imperial Theatre"
A prolonged murmur of surprise mingled with
expressions of incredulity and much admiration
was heard among the crowd of promenaders
who had by this time gathered around Mesmer,
but Of whose presence he had hitherto been 'un
conscious, 30 entently were his thoughts occupi-
ed with the experiment in which he was engag-
ed. The magnetizer awakened his subject, and
hurried away to the Imperial Theatre, where he
passed the remainder of the evening, his eyes
being turned from the stage, and directed to the
box where was seated the lady of his thoughts
A short time after this scene, which chance
rendered in some degree public, messenger
knocked at DR.. Mesmers door, and requested
his immediate attendance on young lady, who
was dangerously i'll, and who entertaiced the
conviction that he alone could cure her. He
Immediately fastened to the patient, in whom he
recognized the young female whom he had mag
netised on the Prater.
It was ut the latter end of autumn, a season
when invalids wither with the leaves
Margaret was given over by the physician
who had previously attended her. She appear.
ed TO be in the last stage of illness, and her sor
rowing relatives were looking for her death
Nevertheless, Mesmer felt an inward confidence
that he could save her. He every day submit.
ted the patient to the magnetic influence, and