Natural and Mesmeric Clairvoyance

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 Excerpt: ...healthy willing man might learn it in a few minutes, and that he had only to do as he had seen me do. Upon this he attacked the Baboo, and soon threw him into the coma, which he very effectually tested by gouging the end of his nose with a pin. The minister, being informed of the opposition I had encountered in the introduction of this new art into India, exclaimed: "Opposition! I should not know how to reward such a man adequately in my country: " and he begged to be allowed to witness a mesmeric operation, and he did before leaving Calcutta. All this, and much more, I have often shown to the Deputy Governor--Sir John Littler and his friends; inviting them to club all their fortunes to induce him to open his hand, or break my watch, which is at this moment safe in my pocket. Seeing this man's sensibility, I thought it probable that he might exhibit a community of taste with his mesmeriser, and here is the result of the first experiment made upon him. He had never heard of such a thing, nor had I even tried it before. One day that the Baboo came to the hospital to pay his respects after getting well, I took him into a side room, and, mesmerising him till he could not open his eyes, I went out and desired the native AssistantSurgeon to procure me some salt, a slice of lime, a piece of gentian, and some brandy, and to give them to me in any order he pleased when I opened my mouth. "We returned, and, blind-folding Lallee Mohun, I took hold of both his hands; and, opening my mouth, had a slice of half-rotten lime put into it by my assistant. Having chewed it, I asked, "Do you taste anything?" "Yes, I taste a nasty old lime," and he made wry faces in correspondence. He was equally correct with all the other substances, calling t...