THE PROFESSOR OF MESMERISM.
Ellen had already been long enough from home to incur the chance of
exciting surprise or alarm at her absence; she was therefore compelled
to postpone her visit to the Professor of Mesmerism until the following
day.
On her return to the Place, after an absence of nearly three hours, her
fears were to some extent realised, her father being uneasy at her
disappearance for so long a period. She availed herself of this
opportunity to acquaint Mr. Monroe with her anxiety to devote her
talents to some useful purpose, in order to earn at least sufficient to
supply them both with clothes, and thus spare as much as possible the
purse of their benefactor. Her father highly approved of this laudable
aim; and Ellen assured him that one of the families, for whom she had
once worked at the West End, had promised to engage her as a teacher of
music and drawing for a few hours every week. It will be recollected
that the old man had invariably been led to believe that his daughter
was occupied in private houses with her needle, when she was really in
the service of the statuary, the artist, the sculptor, and the
photographer: he therefore now readily put faith in the tale which Ellen
told him, and even undertook not only to communicate her intention to
Markham, but also to prevent him from throwing any obstacle in its way.
This task the old man accomplished that very day; and thus Ellen
triumphed over the chief difficulty which she had foreseen--namely, that
of accounting for the frequent absence from home which her new pursuits
would render imperative. And this duplicity towards her sire she
practised without a blush. Oh! what a wreck of virtue and chastity had
the mind of that young female become!
The Professor of Mesmerism occupied a handsome suite of apartments in
New Burlington Street. He was a man of about fifty, of prepossessing
exterior, elegant manners, and intelligent mind. He spoke English
fluently, and was acquainted with many continental languages besides his
own.
It was mid-day when Miss Monroe was ushered into his presence.
The Professor was evidently struck by the beauty of her appearance; but
he held her virtue at no high estimation, in consequence of the source
of her recommendation to him. Little cared he, however, whether she were
a paragon of moral excellence, or an example of female degradation: his
connexion with her was to be based upon a purely commercial ground; and
he accordingly set about an explanation of his views and objects. Ellen
listened with attention, and agreed to become the patient of the
mesmerist.
Thus, having sold her countenance to the statuary, her likeness to the
artist, her bust to the sculptor, her entire form to the photographer,
and her virtue to a libertine, she disposed of her dreams to the
mesmerist.
Several days were spent in taking lessons and studying her part, under
the tutelage of the Professor. She was naturally of quick comprehension;
and this practice was easy to her. Her initiation was therefore soon
complete; and the Professor at length resolved upon giving a private
exhibition of "the truths of Mesmerism practically illustrated" to a few
friends. Ellen took a feigned name; and all the preliminary arrangements
were settled.
The memorable evening arrived; and by eight o'clock the Professor's
drawing-room was filled with certain select individuals, all of whom
were favourably inclined towards the "science" of Mesmerism. Some of
them, indeed, were perfectly enthusiastic in behalf of this
newly-revived doctrine. The reporters of the press were rigidly excluded
from this meeting, with two or three exceptions in favour of journals
which were known to be friendly to the principle of Animal Magnetism.
When the guests were thus assembled, Ellen was led into the apartment.
She was desired to seat herself comfortably in an easy arm-chair; and
the Professor then commenced his manipulations, "with a view to produce
_coma_, or mesmeric sleep." In about five minutes Ellen sank back,
apparently in a profound sleep, with the eyes tightly closed.
The Professor then expatiated upon the truths of the science of
Mesmerism; and the assembled guests eagerly drank in every word he
uttered. At length he touched upon _Clairvoyance_, which he explained in
the following manner:--
"_Clairvoyance_," he said, "is the most extraordinary result of Animal
Magnetism. It enables the person magnetised to foretel events relating
both to themselves and others; to describe places which they have never
visited, and houses the interior of which they have never seen; to read
books opened and held behind their heads; to delineate the leading
points of pictures in a similar position; to read a letter through its
envelope; to describe the motions or actions of a person in another
room, with a wall intervening; and to narrate events passing in far
distant places."
The Professor then proposed to give practical illustrations of the
phenomena which he had just described.
The visitors were now all on the tiptoe of expectation; and the
reporters prepared their note-books. Meantime Ellen remained apparently
wrapped up in a profound slumber; and more than one admiring glance was
turned upon her beautiful classic features and the exuberant richness of
her bust.
"I shall now question the patient," said the Professor, "in a manner
which will prove the first phenomenon _of clairvoyance_; namely, _the
power of foretelling events relative to themselves and others_."
He paused for a moment, performed a few more manipulations, and then
said, "Can you tell me any thing in reference to future events which are
likely to happen to myself?"
"Within a week from this moment you will hear of the death of a
relation!" replied Ellen in slow and measured terms.
"Of what sex is that relation?"
"A lady: she is now dangerously ill."
"How old is she?"
"Between sixty and seventy. I can see her lying upon her sick-couch with
two doctors by her side. She has just undergone a most painful
operation."
"It is perfectly true," whispered the Professor to his friends, "that I
have an aunt of that age; but I am not aware that she is even ill--much
less at the point of death."
"It is wonderful--truly wonderful!" exclaimed several voices, in a
perfect enthusiasm of admiration.
"Let us now test her in reference to the second phenomenon I mentioned,"
said the Professor; "which will show _the power of describing places she
has never visited, and houses whose interiors she has never seen_."
"Ah! that will be curious, indeed," cried several guests.
"Perhaps you, Mr. Wilmot," said the Professor, addressing a gentleman
standing next to him, "will have the kindness to examine the patient
relative to your own abode."
"Certainly," replied Mr. Wilmot then, turning towards Ellen, he said,
"Will you visit me at my house?"
"With much pleasure," was her immediate answer.
"Where is it situated?"
"In Park Lane."
"Come in with me. What do you see?"
"A splendid hall, with a marble table between two pillars on one side,
and a wide flight of stairs, also of marble, on the other."
"Come with me into the dining room of my house. Now what do you see?"
"Seven large pictures."
"Where are the windows?"
"There are three at the bottom of the room."
"What colour are the curtains?"
"A rich red."
"What is the subject of the large picture facing the fire-place?"
"The battle of Trafalgar."
"How do you know it is that battle?"
"Because I can read on the flag of one of the ships the words, '_England
expects that every man will do his duty_.'"
"I shall not ask her any more questions," said Mr. Wilmot, evidently
quite amazed by these answers. "Every one of her replies is true to the
very letter. And I think," he added, turning towards the other guests,
"that you all know me well enough to believe me, when I declare most
solemnly that this young person has never, to my knowledge, been in my
house in her life."
A murmur of satisfaction arose amongst the guests, who were all
perfectly astounded at the phenomena now illustrated--although they had
come, as before said, with a predisposition in favour of Mesmerism.
"We will have another proof yet," said the Professor. "Perhaps Mr. Parke
will have the kindness to question the patient."
Mr. Parke stepped forward, and said, "Will you do me the favour to walk
with me to my house."
"Thank you, I will," answered Ellen, still apparently remaining in a
profound mesmeric sleep.
"Where is my house?"
"In Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square."
"How many windows has it in front?"
"Thirteen."
"Where are the two statues of Napoleon?"
"In the library."
"What else do you see in that room?"
"Immense quantities of books on shelves in glass cases."
"Are there any pictures?"
"Yes--seven."
"What is the subject of the one over the mantelpiece?"
"A beautiful view of London, by moonlight, from one of the bridges."
"Wonderful!" ejaculated Mr. Parke. "All she has said is perfectly
correct. It is not necessary to ask her any more questions on this
subject."
"Gentlemen," said the Professor, casting a triumphant glance around him,
"I am delighted to perceive that you are satisfied with this mode of
illustrating the phenomena of _clairvoyance_. I will now prove to you
that the patient _can read a book held open behind her head_."
He then performed some more manipulations to plunge his patient into as
deep a mesmeric sleep as possible, although she had given no symptom of
an inclination to awake throughout the preceding examination. Having
thus confirmed, as he said, her perfect state of _coma_, the Professor
took up a book--apparently pitched upon at random amongst a heap of
volumes upon the table; and, holding it open behind the head of the
patient, he said, "What is this?"
"A book," was the immediate reply.
"What book?"
"Milton's _Paradise Lost_."
"At what page have I opened it?"
"I can read pages 110 and 111."
"Read a few lines."
Ellen accordingly repeated the following passage in a slow and
beautifully mellifluous tone:--
"Now morn, her rosy steps in th' eastern clime
Advancing, sowed the earth with orient pearl,
When Adam waked, so 'customed, for his sleep
Was airy light, from pure digestion bred,
And temperate vapours bland, which th' only sound
Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan,
Lightly dispersed, and the shrill matin song
Of birds on every bough."[77]
"That is sufficient," cried several voices. "Do not fatigue her. We are
perfectly satisfied. It is really marvellous. Who will now dare to doubt
the phenomena of _clairvoyance_?"
"Let us take a picture," said the Professor; "_and she will delineate
all the leading points in it_."
The mesmerist took an engraving from a portfolio, and held it behind
Ellen's head.
"What is this?" he demanded.
"A picture."
"What is the subject?"
"I do not know the subject; but I can see two figures in the
fore-ground, with a camel. The back-ground has elevated buildings. Oh!
now I can see it plainer: it is a scene in Egypt; and those buildings
are the pyramids."
"Extraordinary!" cried Mr. Wilmot.
"And that little hesitation was a proof of the fact that she could
really see the picture," added Mr. Parke.
"Wonderful! extraordinary!" exclaimed numerous voices.
At this moment a servant entered the room and delivered a letter to his
master, the Professor, stating that it had just been left by a friend
from Paris.
The mesmerist was about to open it, when a sudden idea seemed to strike
him.
"Gentlemen," he exclaimed, throwing the letter upon the table, "the
arrival of this missive affords me an opportunity of proving another
phenomenon belonging to _clairvoyance_. _The patient shall read this
letter through the envelope._"
"But if its contents be private?" said a guest.
"Then I am surrounded by gentlemen of honour, who will not publish those
contents," returned the professor with a smile.
A murmur of approbation welcomed this happy compliment of the Frenchman.
The mesmerist held the letter at a short distance from Ellen's
countenance, and said, "What is this?"
"A letter," she replied. "It is written in French."
"Read it," cried the mesmerist.
"The writing is obscure, and the lines seem to cross each other."
"That is because the letter is in an envelope and folded," said the
Professor. "But try and read it."
Ellen then distinctly repeated the contents of the letter, of which the
following is a translation:--
"_Paris_.
"HONOURED SIR,--I have to acquaint you with the alarming illness of
my beloved mistress, your aunt Madame Delabarre. She was taken
suddenly ill four days ago. Two eminent physicians are in constant
attendance upon her. It is believed that if she does not get better
in a few days, the medical attendants will perform an operation
upon her. Should your leisure and occupation permit, you would do
well to hasten to France to comfort your venerable relative.
"Your humble servant,
"FELICIE SOLIVEAU."
"Ah! my poor aunt! my poor aunt!" cried the Professor: "she is no more!
It was her death that the patient foretold ere now! Yes--the two
physicians--the painful operation--Oh! my poor aunt!"
The mesmerist tore open the letter, hastily glanced over it, and handed
it to the gentleman who stood nearest to him. This individual perused it
attentively, and, turning towards the other guests, said, "It is word
for word as the patient read it."
The enthusiasm of the disciples of mesmerism present was only damped by
the grief into which the Professor was now plunged by the conviction of
the death of his venerable aunt. They, therefore, briefly returned their
best thanks for the highly satisfactory illustrations of the truths of
mesmeric phenomena which they had witnessed upon the occasion, and took
their leave, their minds filled with the marvels that had been developed
to them.
The moment the guests and the reporters had taken their departure, the
Professor hastened up to Ellen, took her by the hand, and exclaimed in a
transport of joy, "You may rise, my good young lady; it is all over! You
acquitted yourself admirably! Nothing could be better. I am delighted
with you! My fortune is made--my fortune is made! These English
blockheads bite at anything!"
Ellen rose from the chair in which she had feigned her mesmeric sleep,
and was by no means displeased with the opportunity of stretching her
limbs, which were dreadfully cramped through having remained an hour in
one unchanged position. The Professor compelled her to drink a glass of
wine to refresh her; and in a few minutes she was perfectly at her ease
once more.
"Yes," repeated the mesmerist; "you conducted yourself admirably. I
really could not have anticipated such perfection at what I may call a
mere rehearsal of your part. You remembered every thing I had told you
to the very letter. By cleverly selecting to examine you, those persons
whose houses I have visited myself, and the leading features of which I
am able to explain to you beforehand, I shall make you accomplish such
wonders in this respect, that even the most sceptical will be astounded.
You have an excellent memory; and that is the essential. Moreover, I
shall never mislead you. The book and the print agreed upon between us
during the day, shall always be chosen for illustration at the lecture.
By the bye, your little hesitation about the engraving was admirable.
You may always introduce that _piece of acting_ into your _part_: it
appears true. The part then is not over-done. I give you great credit
for the idea. In a few days I shall tell all my friends that I have
received a letter announcing my aunt's death; and that her demise took
place at the very moment when you beheld her death-bed in your mesmeric
slumber. This will astound them completely. On the next occasion we must
introduce into our comedy the scene _of the patient describing what
takes place in another room, with a wall intervening_; and as we will
settle before-hand all that I shall do in another apartment, upon the
occasion, that portion of the task will not be difficult."
"But suppose, sir," said Ellen, "that a gentleman, concerning whose
house you have given me no previous description, should wish to examine
me,--what must I do in such a case?"
"Remain silent," answered the Professor.
"And would not this excite suspicion?"
"Not a bit of it. I have my answer ready:--'_There is no magnetic
affinity, no mesmeric sympathy, between you and your interlocutor._'
That is the way to stave off such a difficulty; and it applies equally
to a stranger holding books or prints for you to read with the back of
your head."
"I really can scarcely avoid laughing when I think of the nature of the
farce," observed Ellen.
"And yet this is not the only doctrine with which the world is duped,"
said the Professor. "But it is growing late; and you are doubtless
anxious to return home. I am so well pleased with you, that I must beg
you to accept this five-pound note as an earnest of my liberal
intentions. You were very perfect with the poetry and the letter--the
letter, by the bye, from my poor old aunt, whose existence is only in my
own imagination!--Indeed, altogether, I am delighted with you!"
Ellen received the money tendered her by the mesmerist, and took her
departure.
Thus successfully terminated her first essay as a patient to a Professor
of Animal Magnetism!