The Portland daily press., 1863-03-28
MISCELLANY.
Daniel Hume. the Medium.

What singular history is that of Daniel
Hume, the medium! Here Is Young man,
who, without ilIustriods birth, and without
other merit than that OF practicing tly
an acknowledged imposition, has jumped sud
denly TO a familiar association with monarchs
and with the very highest nobility of Europe
After creating for himself a name in the spirit
world of America, Hume came to Europe, and
we first hear OF him in prominent way at
Florence, where, in a little citcle of artists
and literary pe0ple--of whom Hiram Powers,
Mr.. McKenney, the Brownings and the Mar
tineaus were members-he performed feats
which rendered his name at once familiar TO
all the reading world of Europe. 1t was there
he met the Count kauchaloff, a Russian gem
tleman, whose sister he afterwards married.
The Count brought Hume to Paris. aud among
other distinguished persons OF Paris society
whom he invited TO his house TO witness
Humes wonderful performances was the
Count Bacciochi, a relative of the Emperor,
one OF the Chamberlains OF His Majesty, and
charged specially with the direction of the
theatrical and other amusements of the Court
Whether M. Bacciochi became convert
TO Hume's power, or only desired to fulfill
faithfully his office OF Court amnser, do not
know; but he introduced Hume ut the Tuil-
cries, and at the first sitting at which on
ly their Majesties and Bacciochi were present,
Hume was fortunate enough TO accomplish
some OF his most astounding feats. From
that day Hume has been pet of the palace
and of the Court people generally. His rela-
tion to the Emperor and Empress is that of
an intimate friend, and he enjoys the extraor-
binary privilege of being admitted, as a mat
ter Of course, TO all the soirees, of whatever
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 near friend for not coming to see her
when she was in London on her way to Scot
land; and when Hume objected that he feared
to disturb her In the state of mind she was then
in-the Duchess Of Alba had just died-she
replied that ii was Just because she had need of
his soothing sympathy" that she desired to
see him. These two words in fact, disclose
more than all Others the secret of Humes pow
er. He is rather tall and slim, has sandy hair
and moustache, pale face and blue eyes. To
great elegance of person and distinction of
manners, he unites a miIdness and tenderness
Of expression, which those who come within
his influence call angelic, and which sheds
about him a sort of dreamy, unearthiy charm
scarcely powerfully enough expressed by the
words, Soothing sympathy"
There is something mysterious in the mans
organization, which binds TO him as by spell
other organizations peculiarly endowed. There
Is something in his look, in his presence, in the
happiness and sunshine to those about him.
Ladies of the highest birth sit on a 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
contessor. In an earlier and more supersti-
tious period of the worlds history he would
have passed for being of divine origin, and
w6atd have had his disciples ready TO suffer
martyrdom in his defense. Now what is the
explanation of this wonderful power? Is it a
higher order of animal magnetism, or only
adroit swindling? Hume protests that he is
ignorant of the source from whence he derives
his power; that ii is an involuntary accompa-
niment of his being. from which he could not
separate himself il he would. The persons who
fall within his influence do not pretend TO give
a reason for their Authorization: they say that
1t does them good-that it renders them hap
py--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, pres
ents and invitations innumerable from persons
of the highest rank in society. He isl prepar-
ing for publication his personal memoirs, or
rather his autobiography, Tor he is said 10 be
fast declining with consumption--the same
disease which lately killed his wife. He has a
child, wonderfully precocious boy, who is
said to see and hold daily communications with
his deceased mother, and who is thus growing
up as much in the knowledge and affection oil
his mother as IL she was still living and always
present.-IParis Corresp N. Y. Times.