The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-03
Hume, the NEedium..-TIfs Wonderful
Power in Paris.

ROVER in Paris.
Correspondence of the New York Times.
What singular history is that of Daniel
Hume, the medium! He is young man,
who, without illustrious birth, and without
other merit than that Of practicing bril-
liantly an acknowledged imposition, has
jumped suddenly to familiar association
with monarchs and with the very highest
nobility of Europe. After creating for
himself name IN the spirit world Of Amer
lea, Hume came to Europe, and we first
hear Of him in prominent way at Flor
ence, where, in little circle of artists and
literary people, of whom Hiram Powers,
Mr.. Mckinney, the Brownngs and the
Martineaus were members-he performed
1eats which rendered his name at once IA
miliar to all the reading world Of Europe.
1t was here that he met the Count Kou-
chalotf, a Russian gentleman, whose sister
he afterwards married. The Count brought
Hume to Paris, and among other distin-
guished persons Of Paris society whom he
invited to his house to witness Hulne's
wonderful performances, was the Count
Bacceioch, q relative of the Emperor, one
VI luS SlluiuUSll VI 11lS "dJSOty, dIt
charged specially with the direction Of the
theatrical and other amusements of the
Court
Whether NJ Bacceiochi became con-
vert to Humes power, OF only desired to
fulfil faithfully his Office of Court amuser,
do not know; but he introduced Hume
at the Tulleries, and at the first sitting at
which their Majesties and ri. Bacceiochi
were present, Hume was fortunate enough
to accomplish some of his most astound-
ing teats. From that day, Hume has
been ''pet of the palace and Of the
Court people generally. His relation to
the Emperor and Empress is that Of an in
innate friend, and he enjoys the extraor
binary privilege of being admitted, as
matter of course to all the soirees, ofwhat-
ever character at the palace As early as
two years ago he had already gained such
an influence with the Empress, that she
scolded him as she would a near friend for
not coming to see her when she was in
London on her way to Scotland; and
Hume objected, that he feared to disturb
her in the state of mind she then was-the
Duchess of Alba had just died-she re-
piled that it was just because she had need
of his "soothing sympathy that she de-
sired to see him. These two words, in
fact, disclose more than all others the Sc
cret of Hume's power. He is rather tall
and slim, has sandy hair and mustache,
pale face and blue eyes, To great ele-
gance of person and distinction of man
ners, he unites mildness and tenderness
of expression which those who come with
in his influence call angelic, and which
sheds about him sort of dreamy, IN
earthly charm scarcely powerfully enough
expressed by the words soothing sympa-
thy" There is something mysterious in
the mans organization which binds to him
as by a spell other organizations peculiarly
endowed.
There is something in his look, in his
presence, in the very atmosphere of his
room, which imparts happiness and sun
shine to those about him. Ladies of the
highest birth sit on stool at his feet, and
gazing into his magnetic eyes, receive
comfort and consolation from his lips He
calls them "my child,' and gives advice
like father and confessor. In an earlier
and more superstituous period ofthe worlds
history he would have passed for being of
Divine origin, and would have had his de-
ciples ready to suffer martyrdom in his de-
tense. What is the explanation of this
wonderful power? Is it a higher order of
animal magnetism, or only adroit swind-
ling? Hume protests that he is ignorant
of the source from which he derives his
power; that it is not study, but gift !;
that it is an involuntary accompaniment Of
his being, from which he could not separate
himself if he would. The persons who fall
within his influence do not pretend to give
q reason for their hallucination; they say
that it does them good-that it renders
them happy-to come within the circle
of his power; but they cannot tell why
Hume lives in the Place Vendome, as
guest in the family of the Count de -,
where he receives visits, presents and in
vitations innumerable from persons of the
highest rank i'll society He is preparing
for publication his personal memoirs, or
rather his autobiography, for he is said
to be fast declining with consumption,
the same disease which lately killed his
wife. He has a child, a wonderful pre-
cocious boy, who is said to see and hold
communication with his deceased mother
and who is thus growing up as much in
the knowledge and affection of his
mother as if she were still living and
always present
Well executed counterfeit notes on
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