The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-13
The Biological Exhibition.

We attended theeXhibition of whatwe believe
is called Biology, which took place on Tuesday
evening at Temperance Hall, under the au-
spices of Mr.. FIsKE. We suppose there can
be no harm in giving brief description of what
we saw, and the impression made upon our
mind.
The first part of the performance consisted of
lecture, maintaining generally that mental
impressions are alike common source of dis
ease and potent instrument of remedy and
cure. In illustration of this doctrine, a great
variety of incidents and, anecdotes were re-
lated. Thus far, there was nothing new,
either in the positions laid down or the illus
trations. Generally speaking, both the prin-
cipes, statements, and anecdotes, were alto
gether trite and common place. A general
inference was made, that professed medical
men unduly neglect this important topic in
medicine, and charges were laid at their door
which seemed to us unfounded. 1t appeared
that the teaching of the lecturer would lead his
followers, in case of disease, to place them
selves rather in the hands of quacks than in
the care of men entitled by science, study, and
superior intelligence, to confidence. The lee
turer, ALSO as it seemed to us, stated instances,
with appreciation, certainly without rebuke, in
which gross falsehood was incidentally used to
cure patients by mental impressions.
But, however all this might be, it is quite
clear that the lecture had no natural or neces-
sary connexon with the exhibition which
followed. This took place thus: A call was
made by the lecturer for persons to come for
ward to be put in a mesmeric or biological state,
and thus to assist in the performances Of the
evening. Accordingly, about twenty persons
took a seat on bench near the platform. These
were severally twice subjected to manipula-
tons by the lecturer. They were then ex-
amined, and six selected as good subjects.
There were two men and four boys, and, as
we understand, all but one ,cere persons ,cho
had before been selected and operated upon by
the performer
In our view, this was fatal to all confidence
in the exhibition for, of course, it is idle 10
pretend that out of twenty persons only six
mesmerc susceptibles could be found and that
these six should be exactly those who had APP
peared as assistants and co-operators before.
We may be mistaken in our facts the house
was crowded, and our position was not alto
gether favorable for close examination. But all
whom we have conversed with understood the
matter as we did.
Finding that the operator had selected his SIX
adopts, of course we were prepared for what fol
lowed The experiments were perfectly sue
ccssful. The mcntal impressions Of the master
mind made the six subjects shut OF open their
eyes, twirl one hand over another, play the
house on fire, and enact snow storm, TO per
lection.
We say, then, that the exhibition did not
satisfy us at all of the truth of the pretensions
of the so called science of Biology. We do not
say that it is legerdemain. but, for aught we
saw, it might be; and, as this is much the easier
explanation, we incline to the opinion that it
is so.
Anexhibitor comes forward, and makes claim
TO discovery which is new to all experience
which overturns, indeed, all our accustomed
trains and habits Of thought. 1t assumes that
one mind by abstract votion alone, may con-
troll other minds so far as to make half dozen
men lose their senses, and become com
petely the subjects of illusions. One mind
may, therefore, by its internal workings, make
other minds insane; by force of will, may con-
vert other men into lunatics, and make them
act as such.
II is obvious, from what we have said, that
we do not regard the evidence produced on
Tuesday evening as entitled to any considera-
ton.
We write this from no hostility to the SCI
ence of Biology. We do not mean to impugn