Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Miss Martineau's letters on Mesmerism. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)
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![feeling of lightness and relief, in which I thought I could hardly be mistaken. On occasions of a perfectly new experi- ence, however, scepticism and self-distrust are very strong. I was aware of this be- forehand, and also, of course, of the com- mon sneer—that mesmeric effects are all imagination. When the singular appear- ances presented themselves, I thought to myself,— Now, shall I ever believe that this was all fancy] When it is gone, and when people laugh, shall 1 ever doubt hav- ing seen what is now as distinct to my waking eyes as the rolling waves of yon- der sea, or the faces round my sofa ? I did a little doubt it in the course of the evening: I had some misgivings even so soon as that; and yet more the next morn- ing, when it appeared like a dream. Great was the comfort, therefore, of re- cognizing the appearancces on the second afternoon. Now, thought I, can I again doubt? I did, more faintly; but, before a week was over, 1 was certain of the fidel- ity of my own senses in regard to this, and more. There was no other agreeable experi- ence on this second afternoon. Mr. Hall was exhausted and unwell, from having mesmerized many patients; and I was more oppressed and disordered than on the preceding day, and the disorder continued for a longer time : but again, towards night, I felt refreshed and relieved. How much of my ease was to be attributed to Mesmer- ism, and how much to my accustomed opi- ate, there was no saying, in the then un- certain state of my mind. The next day, however, left no doubt. Mr. Hall was prevented by illness from coming over, too late to let me know. Unwilling to take my opiate while in ex- pectation of his arrival, and too wretched to do without some resource, I rang for my maid, and asked whether she had any objection to attempt what she saw Mr. Hall do the day before. With the greatest jlacrity she complied. Within one minute foe twilight and phosphoric lights appear- ed; and in two or three more, a delicious sensation of ease spread through me,—a cool comfort, before which all pain and distress gave way, oozing out, as it were, at the soles of my feet. During that hour, and almost the whole evening. I could no more help exclaiming with pleasure than a person in torture crying out with pain. I became hungry, and ate with relish, for the first time for five years. There was no heat, oppression, or sickness during the seance, nor any disorder afterwrrds. Du- ring the whole evening, instead of the lazy hot ease of opiates, under which pain is felt to lie in wait, I experienced something of the indescribable sensation of health, which I had quite lost and forgotten. I walked about my rooms, and was gay and talkative. Something of this relief re- mained till the next morning; and then there was no reaction. I was no worse than usual; and perhaps rather better. Nothing is to me more unquestionable and more striking about this influence than the absence of all reaction. Its highest exhilaration is followed, not by depression or exhaustion, but by a further renovation. From the first hour to the present, I have never fallen back a single step. Every point gained has been steadily held. Im- proved composure of nerve and spirits has followed upon every mesmeric exhilara- tion. I have been spared all the weak- nesses of convalescence, and have been carried through all the usually formida- ble enterprises of return from deep disease to health with a steadiness and tranquillity astonishing to all witnesses. At this time, before venturing to speak of my health as established, I believe myself more firm in nerve, more calm and steady in mind and spirits, than at any time of my life before. So much, in consideration of the natural and common fear of the mesmeric influ- ence as pernicious excitement—as a kind of intoxication. When Mr. Hall saw how congenial was the influence of this new Mesmerist, he advised our going on by ourselves, which we did until the 6th of September. I owe much to Mr. Hall for his disinter- ested zeal and kindness. He did for me all he could ; and it was much to make a beginning, and put us in the way of pro- ceeding. >](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21139349_0010.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
