Illustrations and enquiries relating to mesmerism. Part I / By the Rev. S.R. Maitland.

  • Samuel Roffey Maitland
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Illustrations and enquiries relating to mesmerism. Part I / By the Rev. S.R. Maitland. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    33/90 page 25
    VOLITION. That one person should he able by the simple exercise of his own will to influence the will; alter the state, and regulate the actions, of another—of another, too, who is distant, and alto¬ gether unconscious of being the subject of such influence,—is certainly very hard to believe, and constitutes one of the most wonderful of the alledged facts of Mesmerism. It has, however, been asserted and strenuously maintained for more than half a century by persons whose statements are entitled to attention. Whether they are right or wrong in all that they say, I am not undertaking to decide; and, indeed, it is not my purpose at present to enquire. My object, and my earnest desire, is to call the attention of sober and reflect¬ ing persons to what is a plain and indisputable truth—namely, that this alledged fact is now maintained as a reality by such a weight of character, and such a body of evidence, and is assuming a form of such importance, that it ought to be in¬ vestigated by those who, though they may have no particular taste for such enquiries, have some fear of God before their eyes, and some concern for the welfare of their fellow-creatures. My meaning will more clearly appear as we proceed; but at present I ask the reader's attention to the subject of avolition and this, not as to a matter of philosophy, but of fact. One cannot, however, say much on this subject without alluding to what is more general. I mean the relation which is said to exist between a mesmeriser and his patient; and of that it is difficult to speak correctly and intelligibly. It seems as if it was not always one and the same, either as to E
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