Letters on Mesmerism (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1845. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... 19 November 20. LETTER II. MESMERIC OBSERVATION When I entered upon my lodgings here, nearly five years ago, I was waited upon by ray landlady's niece, a girl of fourteen. From that time to this, she has been under my eye; and now, at the age of nineteen, she has all the ingenuousness and conscientiousness that won my respect at first, with an increased intelligence and activity of affections. I am aware that personal confidence, such as I feel for this girl, cannot be transferred to any other mind by testimony. Still, the testimony of an inmate of the same house for so many years, as to essential points of character, must have some weight; and therefore I preface my story with it. I would add that no wonders of Mesmerism could be greater than that a person of such character, age, and position should be able, for a lo.ig succession of weeks, to do and say things, every eve?iing, unlike her ordinary sayings and doings, to tell things out of the scope of her ordinary knowledge, and to cc mmand her countenance and demeanour, so that no fet.r, no mirth, no anger, no doubt, should ever once make her move a muscle, or change colour, or swerve for one instant from the consistency of her assertions and denials on matters of fact or opinion. I am certain that it is not in human nature, to keep up for seven weeks, without slip or trip, a series of deceptions so multifarious; and I should say so of a perfect stranger, as confidently as I say it of this girl, whom I know to be incapable of deception, as much from the character of her intellect as of her morale. When it is seen, as it will be, that she has also told incidents which it is impossible she could have known by ordinary means, every person who really wishes to c2 study such a case, will think the present as worthy...