The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-05-14
AGASSIZ ON MESMERISM.
From the Washington Capital.

From the Washington Capital.
In late article on the strange power
now being SO strongly manifested, we
expressed regret that the dispassionate,
learned men who rule the world of science
do not take up and investigate the phe-
nomena. Since then our friend, Colonel
Lamar, member of Congress from Mssiss-
ippi, has called our attention to q COM
munication made by the learned Agassiz
on February 90, 1889 to be found ina
work entitled Facts in Mesmerism by
the Rev. c. H. Townshend, A. NJ, of
Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and published
in 1910, by LoLgman, Orme, Brown,
Green & Lougmans, London" Here
his experience
NOTES RELATING TO MEsMERIsM, TEE
MORNING OF THE 22D OF FEBRU-
AIRY, 1889.
DESTROYS of knowing what TO think of
mesmerism, for long time sought for
an opportunity for making Esoms expert.
ments in regard to it upon myself so as
to avoid the doubts which might arise on
the nature of the sensations which we
have heard descibed by mesmerized per-
sons. NJ. Desor, yesterday in O. visit
which be made TO Berne, invited Mr..
Townsheni, who had previously mesmer-
lied him, to accompany him to Neufchat-
ell, ana to try to mesmerize me. These
gentlemen arrived here with the evening
courier, and informed me Of their arrival
At s o'clock | went to them. We con-
tinued at supper.till hals-past 9 o'clock
and about 10 Mr.. Townshend common
ced operating on me. While we sat OPP
posite one another, ne, in the first place,
only took hold of my hand and looked at
me ixedly. was. firmly resolved to arrives
at knowledge of the truth, whatever it
m;si.t DO md. therefore, the msment
saw MIN endeavoring to exert an action
upon me, I silently addressed the Author
of all things, beseeching. Him to give me
power to resist the influence, AM to be
eonscIentientious in regard to myself, as
well as in regard to the facts. | then
fixed my eyes upon Mr.. Townshend'
attentive to whatever passed. was
in very suitable circumstances the hour
being carly; and one at which | was in
the habit of studying, was tar from dis
posidg me t. sleep. was sufficiently
master, of MYSELF TO experience
NO emotion, and TO repress sll flights OF
imagination, even if had been less calm
accordingly it vas long tins before
felt any effect from the presence Of Mr.
Townshend opposite me. However, atteI
At least quarter of an hour, felt sen
sation of current through all my limbs
and from that moment my eyellds grew
heavy.anaI then saw Mr.. TownsheDt
extend his hands. before my eyes, AS j
he were about to plunge his fingers int
them, and then make differmens circula
movements around my eyes, which caus
ed my eyelids to become still heavier.
had the idea that he was en9eavorlng Il
make me close my eyes and yet it wa'
not as if some the had threatened my
eyes, and, in the waking state | had clos
Ell thelA to prevent him 1t was an ire
sisyabse heavintss of the lids which con-
PEELED me TO shut them, and, by degrees
found that had no longer the power to
keeping them open, but did not the less
retain my consciousness of what was 60
ING on around me;Ec that heard Mr.. Descr
speak to Mr. Townshend. understood
what they said, and heard what question
they asked me, just as If had been awake
but had not the power OF answering
| I endeayored in vain several times to do
So and when I succeeded I perceived
that was passing out of the state Of tor
Dor in which hsd been, and which was
rather agreeable than painful. $3.50 Naa u
In this state T. heard the watchman cry
TO clock then I heard 1t strike quar-
ter past but Afterward I fell into q
deeper sleep. although I never entirely
lost consciousness. It appeared to me
that Mr.. Townehend was endeavoring to
| p at me into sound sleep; my movements
seemed under. his control, for wished
severalti mes to change the position OF my
arms. but had not sufficient power to do