The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-01-22

with Mesmer's magnetism, Lavater's

physiognomy, &C., &c. One of my
companions, whose national pride was
wounded by their mockory, begged
me to make some reply, particularly
to q handsome young man who sat
opposite. us, and who had allowed
himself extraordinary licencc. This
mans former life was at that moment
presented to my mind. I turned to
him, and asked whether he would
answer me candidly if I rotated to
him some of the most secret passages
Of his life, I knowing as little of him
personally as he did Of mo? That
would be going little further, /
thought, than Layatcr did with his
physiognomy. He promised if ]
were correct in my information, to
admit it frankly. I then related
what my vision had shown mo and
the whole company were madc &C.
quainted with the private history Of
the young merchant; his school years,
his youthful errors, and lastly with a
fault committed in reference to the
strong box Of his principal. 7 de.
scribcd to him the uninhabited room
with whitened walls, where to the
right Of tho brown door, on table,
stood black moncy.box, sc. &c.
A dead silence prevailed during the
whole narration, which I alone occa.
sionally interrupted, by inquiring
whether spoke tho truth? The
startled young man confirmed every
particular and even, what I had
scarcely expected, the last mentioned.
Touched by his candour, shook
hands with him over the table, and
said no more. He asked my name,
which l gave him, and we remained
together talking till past midnight.
lie is probably still living.
can we'll explain to myself how n
person of lively imagination, may
form as in romance, n correct pic.
.tare Of tile actions and passions 'ol
:apsthea a,sssSp aE s
ar. uIsderesccrtain circumstances
But whence came those triaing nc
ccssorics which no wise concerned
INC, and in relation to people for the
most part indifferent to me, with
whom I neither had mcr desired to
have any conncxion? Or, was the
whole matter constantly recurring
ACCIDENT Or, had my auditor, per
hars, when related the particulars
of his former life very different views
to give of the whole. although in his
first surprise, and mislcd by some re.
scmblances, he had mistaken them
for the same? And yet impcllcd by
this very doubt, l had several times
given myself trouble to speak Of the
most insignificant things which my
waking dream had revealed to me.
| shall not say another word on this
singular gift Of vision, Of which l
cannot say it was ever of the slightest
service; it manifested itself rarely,
quite independently of my will, and
several times in reference to persons
whom l cared little to look through.
Neither am | the only person in
possession of this power. On an cx.
cursion / once made with two of my
sons, | met with an old Tyrolcsc who
carried oranges and lemons about
the country, in house Of public en-
tcrtainmcnt, in lower Hancnstein,
one of the passes Of the Jura. He
fixed his eyes on me for some time,
then mingled in the conversation; and
said that he knew mo, although he
knew me not, and went to relate what
| had done and strivcn to do in form.
or times, to the CONSERVATION of the
country people present and the great
admiration Of my children, who were
diverted to find another person gifted
like their father. How the old lemon
merchant came by his knowledge he
could explain neither to me nor to
himself; he seemed nevertheless, to
value himself somewhat upon his
mysterious wisdom.