Illustrations of modern mesmerism from personal investigation / [Sir John Forbes].

  • John Forbes
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Illustrations of modern mesmerism from personal investigation / [Sir John Forbes]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    51/140 page 33
    Tlien a young girl was introduced, mesmerised, and put througli the popidar performances of traction, and exiiibitiug tlie excitement of the phrenological organs (plireuo-mesmcrism). This performance was so man el- lously pc-rfcct, so monstrously demonstrative of thetrutli of the two sciences (phrenology and mesmerism), that it was impossible to eutertaiu a moment’s doubt that the whole tiling was a piece of sheer imposture, imworthy of detail. Adolplic was then introduced, mesmerised and bau- daged (apparently with care) by Mr. Oltley, and then set to play ecarte. This he did wonderfully well for a mim who did not sec—rather bailly for a man who did. lie also, while bandaged, told the names of cards ou having them presented to him—sometimes wrong, often right: and on vLsiting cards, he sometimes read the printed names partly or wholly. After a little time, the bandages were removed, and Adol])hc pro|)osed to dear-see in the undoubted sense, i. c. by seeing through opakc bodies. Several scaled packets were placed by me into his hands; but, after a time, he announeed that he had not the power of vision, and did not declare the contents of any. A gentleman (who had played at eVimte with him) then placed a folded paper (not many times folded, and not seided) in his hands. This he twisted about, looked earnestly at, i)laeed to Ids chest mouth, &c., and then, though still declaring he coidd not see, begiui to aimouncc, by fits and starts, imd with great seeming carelessness, some of the letters of the word inclosed, lie lirst said the word coutaiued two L’s (//),
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