New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-09-02
MIR. H1ppsLEy, the ELECTRICAL GENTLEMAN

:" A respectable physician, in the last number
Of Sillimans journal, gives the following very
| curious account of an electrical lady. He
states, that on the evening of January 28th,
during somewhat extraordinary display of
northern lights, the person in question became
SO highly charged with electricity as to give out
vivid electrical sparks from the ends of her fin
gers to the face of each of the company present
| This did not cease with the heavenly phenome-
non, but continued for several months, during
which time she was constantly charged, and
giving off electrical sparks at every conductor
she approached. This was extremely vexatious,
as she could not touch any metallic utensils
without first giving off an electric spark, with
the consequent twinge. When seated by stove
with her feet upon the fedder, she gave sparks
at the rate of three or four minute. The lady
icate state of health: having for two years
always suffered from acute rheumatism and
neuralgia disorders British Press
| 'This then is what | am suffering from,
said MIR. Hippsley, putting down the newspa-
per which contained the above extraordinary
account 81 am walking electric machine
This is why am abandoned by my earliest ac-
quaintance; my servants dread to come near
me; and my physician no longer feels my pulse,
but tells me ! am hypochondriac; while to pre-
vent having anything more to do with such a
monster, he assures me that my cure rests in
my own hands. My own hands! they are cleo
trio points. Oh this is the worst misery of all !
the persecution of destiny cannot plunge me
deeper into the gulf of despair What was the
inconvenience of being unable to open my right
eye during the whole of the month to being a
walking galvanic battery, who cannot pat q
child on the head without shocking him; OF
shade hands with a friend without knocking
him down. What was my being incapable of
sitting or lying for more than three days, rest
ing myself, like horse in stall, against the
corner of the room, to my present misfortune :
| can't touch bell.wire without sending an
electric shock through the whole lodging-house
and throwing half the members of two respecta-
BILE families into conyulsions. Oh shall make
away with myself! ] can't stand it!'' Mr..
Hippsley here attempted to draw a bottle of
wine, but his hand coming in contact with the
| cork screw, a severe spasm seemed to pass
| through his frame.
There's a shockn' exclaimed the unhappy
man. "What is to become of me? The least
touch of metal brings out these cursed sparks !''
and putting down the bottle, he threw himself
into chair, looking the picture of despon-
dency.
81 ,cN see Mr.. Hippsley y
ou can't ma am, you can't! Master won't
be disturbed; he is not dressed He said that
he wouldn't be shaved, anyhaw, till he was
made sensible whether it's really hair, or feath-
|
"Tell Mr.. Hippsley, his cousin, Mrs. Martha
Meddler, wants to see him. answered u loud
voice to the refusal Of admission on the part
of Patrick, who scarcely had time to announce
the importunate visitor when she entered the
ROOM The invalid rose to receive her.
keep off, said Mr.. Hippsley, solemnly, as
in the perpetual hustle which marked Mrs.
Martha's most important actions, she ap-
preached to shake him by both hands, sc keep
OFF,
"Charles Hippsley, for shame! What new
crotchet are, you going crazy upon now Oh,
you shake your head You are China man
DARN for a tea shop; afraid of being knocked
down and broken!" and the nhuman woman
laughed till the room rang with her cachinna-
ton.
''Shall put out my hand, summon all my
electrical power, and strike her senseless at my
feet" said Mr.. Hippsley to himself; but he
refrained from this act Of summary justice to
his wounded feelings. He asked her to be
seated, and begged she would communicate the
cause Of her unceremonious visit.
"Stop, my dear soul, till have rested q bit, ;
said Mrs. Martha.
Perhaps you would like glass of wine
Patrick, decant that bottle
Mr.. Hippsley was sternly polite; but in th
excess of his misery he forgot not the duties o
hospitality. The valet now left the room, whicl
formed the front of first floor in Jermyn street
and the visitor, after slipping glass of sherry
opened her communication g You know
! Charles, that you have never been happy sine
Miss Thornton refused you"
"Madam, you have surely not paid me thi
early and unexpected call to remind me of tha
} which would willingly forget. am an inva
lid, suffering from a series of atctions-1 shoul
{ rather say concatenation-for | have not tim
to rid myself of one disease ere another pos
sesses my unhappy frame"
! "There, now, there's dear soul, don't go o
! with your catalogue of complaints!" inter
rupted Mrs. Martha. ss You know there is II
stopping you if you once begin to enumeraue.
Cousin Meddler, relationship can not ex
cuse your taking me to task, as if l were
!. weak, fanciful girl, placed under your guar
: dianship. No one need in future dread that
shall intrude the relation of my Affections o
unsympathizing hearers. My present misery
if circumstances have not already made
. known, or accident does not reveal it, shall
locked within the recesses of my own bosom,
y and here Mr. Hippsley wiped the perspiratio
from his brow, and looked awfully mysterious
swell, you are a droll man, to be sure!
have good mind to have nothing to do wit
you; butI can't bear to see friends mis- manag
1 their affairs, and not help them bit. Now,
: any one ever mis.managed v love matter, ii wa
Z you. Charles Hlppslsyl. There now, the mel
aee's eWt! ! hiia aeAlasIt kass TAafatoa