Daily Cincinnati Republican

Animal Magnetism, or Mesmerism, and Phrenology.

Messrs. Editors—The subject of Animal Magnetism, or Mesmerism, having created no little excitement and conversation in this city for some time past, I desire to be allowed the use of your columns to make a few remarks upon it. I confess I am deeply interested in it, because I think it well calculated to enlist the feelings of the inquirer after truth, and I think I have witnessed sufficient in relation to it to satisfy my mind that it not only claims the credence of the candid, but that it is destined to be of vast consequence and benefit to mankind.—

The sneers and ridicule of some, and open denunciation of others have not been sufficient to deter me from making proper efforts to satisfy my own mind of its truth or falsity. I believe it a duty all mankind owe to the majesty of truth to investigate with candor and careful scrutiny all subjects which learned and good men assure us are fruitful of curious and astounding results, however much they may conflict with our previous notions. That many such men have claimed Mesmerism to be true, no one who is conversant with the history of the last fifty years can for a moment doubt. Yet I now confess with shame that, until recently, I was not only a total disbeliever in its existence, but that I have often written for the public eye sneers and sarcasms against those who were its advocates. This I did, because it appeared to me to be in opposition to all my previously conceived notions of physiology and nature of man. My present views on this subject, therefore, are altogether antagonist to those formerly entertained, and have been formed upon what I deem to be irresistible evidence, and that too, against all the prejudices of early education, first impressions, and that pride of opinion which almost every man feels when he has committed himself upon any debatable question. Almost every one knows how difficult it is to give up long cherished sentiments, and to bring one's self to the point of candidly acknowledging an error. Yet it is a duty everybody owes to society and truth, to acknowledge himself wrong whenever fully convinced of it Such being my views, I do not hesitate to perform the duty of confessing my error, and change of opinion in relation to Animal Magnetism. I am now a firm believer not only in the Mesmeric sleep, but in clairvoyance, sympathy and obedience of the subject to the will of the operator.

The first experiments I ever saw in Animal Magnetism were made by Mr. Johnson on his first visit to this city; and as he was a public lecturer, traveling through the country exhibiting his experiments for gain, and of whom I had no personal knowledge, I think it doubtful if my previously conceived notions would have yielded to his experiments alone. They greatly surprised me—I could not account for the phenomena they exhibited—and yet I could not but fear there might be some trick, collusion or deception in the affair. I immediately resolved to make trials among my own acquaintance—to attend all the experiments of personal friends around me whom I knew to be honest and influenced by no other motive than myself—that of eliciting truth. I soon saw enough to convince me beyond all question that Mesmerism is true—I am now as well satisfied of it as I am of any other fact—that there is a sky above me, or that I am writing this article is not more satisfactory to my mind. I have its truths established by my own experiments, and in repeated instances by the experiments of others on whom I am sure I can safely rely—by the most thorough ocular demonstration. My mind being thus convinced, I think I should act the part of a knave, and manifest a great want of independence in refusing to express the sentiments I entertain, no matter to what the science may lead If I really believe it to be true, I, as an honorable man, am (in my opinion, when speaking on the subject) bound to say so. In my estimation, philosophy, truth, justice and religion all require this of every one.

What can be more unfair or unjust than for persons to ridicule or denounce its existence, and yet refuse to investigate it, or witness experiments when within their reach? If intelligent men had heretofore adhered to such a course, Newton's, Franklin's and Fulton's immortal discoveries would have remained discredited to the present day.

Having therefore entirely satisfied my mind that there is truth in the science of Mesmerism, and having with careful scrutiny witnessed many of the experiments of Mr. Johnson, and having been unable to detect any deception on his part, or discovered any disposition in him to practice any fraud or deception, and seeing no motive for him to do so, as the real feats of the science are sufficiently astonishing, I feel constrained to commend his exhibitions to the public. They are intensely interesting, and are continually exhibiting new and astounding phenomena. As the world is yet but on the threshold of the science, it is idle to imagine to what results it may lead. Already it is known to be eminently useful in surgery, and for its curative or palliative effects in many cases of disease. It is possible that a thorough investigation into its mysteries may elicit results, benevolent and beneficial, far beyond the present claims of its most enthusiastic devotees.

Many of the most interesting and successful experiments I have yet witnessed, were made by Mr. Johnson on Thursday evening last. His two subjects, Miss Harriet and Frederick were put into a Mesmeric sleep. A gentleman, wholly disconnected with the operator, made a request on a slip of paper that Mr. Johnson would will Miss Harriet to rise from her seat, descend from the stage, and go down stairs into the outer room, then return to her place, passing on her return round the opposite side of the stage from which she descended. The whole of this experiment was accomplished, she being blindfolded,) except that she, on her return, ascended the same side of stage she descended. A small walking cane, having a dog's head made of white bone on the cane, mounted with gold and the name of the owner engraved upon a slip of gold on the forehead of the dog, was now handed to Mr. Johnson with a request that the sleepers should describe it. On being asked what it was he held in his hand, both instantly answered something long and round." something on the end of it." Miss Harriet said. "a queer little thing." some writing on the top of it," "looks bright like silver," "dog's head on the end of it." Frederick said "a queer thing made of bone on the end of it." writing on there." Both said to hold in the hand." "to go along with," and various other equally accurate and remarkable expressions, clearly showing they saw the article distinctly through the mind of the operator.

A bunch of green plants and flowers sent up by a lady, was next desired to be described. Both described it accurately—Both said it belonged to a lady." Looked pretty." Pretty's good." and on Mr. Johnson smelling ". Miss Harriet said smells sweet," oh what pretty flowers" A silver snuff box with letters plainly engraved upon it, was then handed to Mr J. with a request that the figures should be described. This both of them failed to do—Miss H. stating the number of letters to be scarce when there were nine—and making two or three mistakes as to the name of the letters. Mr. Johnson remarked that he had rarely been able to obtain from either of his subjects, accurate descriptors of letters. Thus was the only instance in which there was a decided failure, so far as I recollect in the whole course of the evening.

Another snuff box of a dark color, having a handsome painting of a lady on the lid, was handed to be described. I immediately remarked "all that's dark." The operator said, the others, something pretty. Miss Harriet said, on further interrogation, "a lady's" "ruffles round there" "pink handkerchief all over" were precisely described. A minute after a watch was taken [and] handed [to] Mr. Johnson. [The subject] said it was "a gold watch." and on being desired to tell the time both said, after apparently counting up the figures, "twenty five minutes" and then something about a quarter. In reality it wanted 25 minutes to ten, that watch but it was precisely a minute after nine. Afterwards [everyone present]. Mr. Johnson's ear was then severely pinched- Both immediately exhibited signs of being hurt and on being asked what was the matter said "don't like that ear's". "Where are you hurt?" was asked--Miss H. said, on the head, at the same time putting her hand to her ear. Mr J.'s hair was then pulled-Both said "don't like that's -pulling hair." Mr J. now took some tobacco in his mouth-both immediately began to pucker their lips and make wry faces-both said "don't like that bad" on being asked what it was, Miss H. answered "tobacco" All these answers were reported by the committee appointed for the purpose --they were Dr. Latta, Esquire Singer and Mr. Painter. I myself stood by the side of Miss Harriet, and distinctly heard the answers I have detailed. As Frederick was talking at the same time, and was some distance from me. I did not hear half he said, but his answers (many of which were not reported) seemed to give entire satisfaction to those near him. and oftentimes excited a good deal of amusement. Mr. Johnson now announced he would make some phrenological experiments -and began by exhibiting a discovery which, he and Dr. Parnell the Phrenologist, had that day made. Mr. J. gave Dr P. the credit of making the discovery as the experiments were made at his suggestion Mr J said remarks of the kind had ever to his knowledge been noticed by writers on the subject, and as Dr. P claimed it to be original with him. it was but fair he should have the credit of the discovery. It was claimed that each phrenological organ on the head, had a pole, or sympathetic point on the face. Mr. J. placed the ends of his forefingers in the corner of Miss Harriet's mouth. she immediately began to smile and look pleased. It was explained that these were the sympathetic points or poles of the organ of mirthfulness. The finger was now placed on another organ. and she commenced laughing immoderately. The finger was then placed on the point of the chin as the pole of the organ of combativeness she immediately clenched her fists growled. and exhibited other signs of combativeness. but afterwards to a much greater extent when the organ of combativeness was itself pressed. These experiments clearly showed that there are sympathetic points in the face with the various organs of the brain as dear to Phrenologists Various phrenological experiments were then made and all with the most triumphant success One was remarkable to a great degree. The organ of tune was pressed: immediately Miss H began singing [Grace?]. Mr. J then pressed the organ of veneration. still holding his finger on the organ of tune she bashfully changed the air and commenced singing Old Hundred. What is very astonishing, and conclusively proves that there was no deception whatever in the experiments wherever any organ of Miss Harriet's was pressed, Frederick, who was some distance from her, and who was not touched at all, would exhibit the same passion or faculty exhibited by her, and corresponding with the claims of Phrenologists-and so vice versa. For instance,--the moment Miss Harriet's organ of tune was excited, both began to sing,--and when Frederick's organ of combativeness was excited, both immediately made the most pugnacious demonstrations. Nothing can be more complete, than the proof, which these experiments afford, of the truth of Phrenology.

I know not when I have been more gratified than by the experiments of Mr. Johnson on that evening--they could not have failed. I should suppose, to convince every person present of the undoubted truth of both Mesmerism and Phrenology, and such seemed to be the sentiments of every one I heard express an opinion on the subject. C.