Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-11-25
NEW SERIES.
Wonderful Case Of Animal Magnetism
related by Dumas.

following strange story vouched by hln as
true. 1t is almost impossible to give the charm
Of the authors style in the English language;
nevertheless. the incidents are extremely inter-
esling, however absurd thoy may appear to in
credulous readers:--
| have not yet done with animal magnetism.
On the contrary have story in reserve more
extraordinary still: and ] will now proceed to
narrate what passed in the presence OF fifteen
persons, all Of whom signed paper containing
the narration which was written out at the time
by two Of the company. During my temporary
residence at AuStere, | was frequent visitor
at the house of Mr.. D, who had two
children, boy six, and girl eleven years OF
age. Marie, the daughter, was lively child,
or rather little angel. with very pale cheeks
md very black eyes, which, in their expression,
were almost severe. She was exquisitely deli
cate in every respect, but with neither more
nor less intelligence than children usually pos
sess al her age and had hardly remarked her,
except to say TO my daughter. lChdt Il beautiful
child! NV daughter, being OF the same opln-
ion had made q drawing OF Marie when awake
Il say when awake, for reason to be given
by-and-by. One day we were seated at the
dinncr-table, the dining-room on one side opened
upon the garden, the dessert was placed upon
the table. and the two children, who had left
their seats, were playing among the trees and
flowers. The conversation fell upon the never
ending still-beginning subject OF Animal Mag
neism, which, to me, was, at all times, partlc-
larlv disagrecablc as incredulity ard doubt
were generally expressed openly and unhcslta-
tinglv, and in sef-defcnce | could only sag that
certain cf,cis had been produced. Now as
these effects had been produced in places distant
from the scene Of discussion, was forced TO
choose from among the comrNny present a per-
son who in my Judgment could be magnctlzed
,,l,o in tho hiiuDr pr | Obliged
to try my skill. All maguctzcrs know that
putting person in magnetic sleep IL as Ia
borors for the operator as for the person ope-
rated upon. While we were at dessert mar
rated some Of the cases of magnetic sleep al
ready mentioned, but my recital met with the
most undisguisod increduIity.
shall never believe in animal magnetism,
said Madame D to me, until, for instance
and she endeavorded to think of something
quite Impossible to i've donc-uutii YOU have put
my daughter Marie TO sleep.
Call Marie, said /, let Ter sit in her usual
place at table, give her a wnc-bScut and some
fruit, and while she is eating, will try to put
her asleep.
Is there no danger!
What danger do you fear?
Will it not niue her health?
Not in the slightest degree.
Madame ID. sent for Marie who came running
into the room. Some green cages and bis
cult were put upon her plate, and she was toIC
to eat them at table. Her seat was next TO mlnt
on the left side, and while around the table In
conversation was continued as before her arrl
val (he only person silent being myseH),
raised nv hand behind the child's head, al tht
same time wH2mg with concentrated power tina
she should 90 TO sleep. In about half minute
she was perfectly still, every movement havini
entirely ceased, and she appeared absorbed II
looking intently at green gage which she hcl
in her hand ready TO raise It 10 her mouth
What is the matter, Marie? said her mother
The child did not replv-She was sound ASLEEP
and it was so quickly brought about that | di
not myself believe it, ! then without touchn
her head gently brought it backward, so that
would rest upon the Top Of the char, by Simp'
willing that it should fall back. Her upimne
face now exhibited perfect image Of calmne'
and serenity. | then made passes with m
hand upwards before her eyes, TO cause her
open them which she did,-the pupils WEI
turned upward, and just below them, there WI
delicate pearly line of light. She was no
in what is callc the crtatic state In this sta
of magnetic sleep, the cyclids d. not feel Il
need Of wipiing ms when awake, and any o
iect may he held so near as almost TO touch l
pupil, without causing the slightest uneaSlne
10 The eyes My daughter skctchcd the he
of Marie while thus asleep, as P'nddd to |
drawing already mentioned. The difference I
tween the chM and the angel was so mantle
in the two drawings that she addedEing' to
latter, which then strongly resemblcd stu
or copy, from the best works Of Giotto or
rugino. The child being in the eXtatic sta
it was now TO be seen whether she would spe
BV merely touching her hand she spoke
simply requesting her TO rise, she did 50;
her voice was pIaintive and un7cccn'ed'
her movements were rather those OF m anton
ton than Of living being. with her eyes ol
or shut, going forwards and backwards
walked in a straight line with perfect iearl'
ness and security. I then isolated her, so
she could hear my voice only, and could tht
fore reply only 10 me- TIE voices Of
father and mother could not reach
sense of hearing, when hy simply willing,
making priculaT pass or sign, caused
isolation 10 cease, and she could then comm
cate with any rerson present, whom cl
to designate. | asked her several questions
which she replied with 50 much proPrle'y,,
actness and in diligence, that her unc'e Sua.
ly exclaimed, Ask her some political ,que','
ASI have already said, the child was ont Gle
wears Of age, and ot course knew nothing
ting TO political subjects or discussions nov
the names Of men or Of things connected u
with.
Twill now copy exactly the statement, '
ten ont al the time Of this strange eNhlbl
without attaching the slightest importance to
Of the childs predictions; which | ShonI,
greatly panied to see accomplished ana
only attribute them TO the excited stMc