Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-06-17
"Have I actually been asleep2" he asked


"You certainly have. You recollect look
ing at your watch when you sat down, do ycr
not ?"
Eyes, it was then nine o'clock"
"Look at it now"
He obeyed, and found that it wanted
quarter to ten.
"And did I actually do what these fellows
say did,"
"No. I am sorry to say that you did mo-
do half as much as I was desrous you should
You answered my questions, and that was all
could not even make you walk"
"How did you feel when you tried to walk?'
asked one of his friends. "You toddled like
baby"
II have not the slightest recollection Oft
II am sorry to say that | consider this ex
pertinent comparative failure" said the pro
fessor, turning to the audience. "1t is ex
tremely probable, however, that the next time
this young gentleman allows me to try mJ
powers upon him, shall succeed far better
in making him obey my orders. 1t is seldom
that mesmerizer can obtain complete con
troll over his subject on the very first trial
though, there are cases where be does succeed
perfectly in doing so. I myself, have hao
such case; though only one, as far as | re
member, in the whole course of my experience
The subject I allude to was young French
lad, who was peculiarly susceptible to tht
magnetic influence. He had never been mes
merized beforehand never even heard of the
science, and was quite uncertain what wa
going to be done to him when he was placed
in my hands so of course there was no room
for imposition-and yet 1 succeeded so per
fectly in subjectiDg him to my will, that he
moved, spoke and acted like an automaton, al
my bidding, and even answered my unspoker
thoughts, with the utmost accuracy"
"Oh I wish there was some equally sus
ceptible person here, now" exclaimed Lucy
Curtis.
"Perhaps there may be" said the professor
"I shall be glad to make another trial pres
emily; but must rest for short while first
DR.. Curtis brought him some wine and
biscuit, of which he partook, resting mean
while in his armchair with slightly fatigueo
air.
"Does that operation tire you much?" in
quired his host.
"Sometimes, when the subject is difficult te
operate on, it is quite fatiguing. Where there
is no difficulty, I do not feel any particular
effect from it"
At the end of quarter of an hour he de
clared himself quite ready to make secone
trial.
"Come, my friends" said the doctor
(which of you will place yourselves now il
the professors hands?"
At this moment Virgilia caught the eye o.
the mesmerizer; he smiled slightly, with ar
encouraging look.
"Try it yourself, DOCTOR" said the young
man who had already been operated upon.
"Oh! no, am too old for such expert
ments and besides, I am not willing to fore
60 the pleasure of being spectator"
II am awaiting your pleasure, ladies ane
gentlemen" said the professor, as no one came
forward. "Unless," he added, "none of yol
care about second trial being made"
"Will you try me ?" asked Virgilia, rising
with sudden impulse from her seat.
Il shall be delighted" was the quick reply
and he hastened to arrange her chair for hel
as she came forward.
"Oh! am sure Edna would not like it,
murmured Claribel.
"What does that matter?" asked Jennie
"She is not here to see. 1 think it will b'
fun. wonderif Virgilia's mind is en- rappor
with the professors y"
II wish she would not do it, said Claribel
81 should like to do it. I've a great mino
to try when she gets through, if it is not too
late" responded Jennie.
Claribel shook her head; but just ther
the professor looked around and requested
silence, as he was about to commence. Vir
gila wore somewhat nervous and embar
rassed look, but kept her eyes concentrated
on his face, and it soon became evident thai
she was very susceptible to the influence tina
he was exercising over her. In much short
er time than it had taken to overcome the re
sistance of the first subject, she was fast asleep
and now the most interesting part of the ex
pertinent commenced.
The professor said that he desired to prove
to the spectators how completely the will O.
the patient was in conformity with his. HI
then turned his back toward her, and made
various gestures which, even had she beer
awake, she could not have seen from the posi-
ton she occupied, and she made precisely thu
same gestures, not omitting the slightest mo
ton of hand or finger. He then, in th'
same manner, conveyed glass of water to hi
lips, and she Immediately initiated the act O.
drinking.
"What is this 1 am drinking?" he asked.
"Water," was the unhestating reply.
He quietly took some Jumps of sugar which
he had had brought to him, and slipped then
into the water. After waiting sufficiently
long for them to melt, he drank again.
"What is this, now"
She paused a moment, then replied, 81
think it is eau sucrfe but it is not very sweet.
He tasted wine, and then some lemonade
in the same manner and each time she gave
a correct reply to his questions. He ther
approached the door as if to leave the room
when she cried out quickly
"Oh you must not 60 away! Please come
back"
Without regarding the request, he slipped