Luke, 49 v. with Samuel, 2 v. Luke, 51 v. with Samuel, 3 and 4 vs. 52 v. with Samuel, 8 v. Luke, 53 v. with Samuel, 5, v.) From a story so manifestly formed upon the pattern of more ancient legends, we can derive no confidence for regarding as historical facts, the statements that John the Baptist was only half a year older than Jesus; that the two mothers were related; or that any intimacy subsisted between the two families. Indeed the contrary rather will be found substantiated in the course of our critical investigations. (To be continued.) TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OF MESMERISM. WHEN a discovery which is of inestimable value to mankind, is scouted by the prejudiced and self-interested, it becomes every one, however humble in position or circumstances, who is convinced of its truth, to bear his conscientious testimony to it. I feel it to be a duty to state, thus publicly, that the practice of mesmerism was recommended to me, by Drs. Elliotson and Ashburner, in the case of my beloved wife, who has undergone many long periods of affliction; and that, in her case, I have had the most indubitable proofs of its efficacy. I cannot report anything in the shape of a 'miraculous cure'; but I have daily proofs of the power of mesmerism to assuage pain and dispel nervous suffering, and to give relief and increased strength to a frame worn and weakened by years of affliction. I must candidly confess that I felt so strongly sceptical as to the possi bility of affecting the human system beneficially, by pointing with the fingers towards the eyes, until they closed, and afterwards making passes with the hand,-that I entered on the operation, nearly two years ago, with unwillingness-nay, I may say with repugnance, from the persuasion or prejudice, that all this was little better than trifling. And had not my conversations with the two eminent medical men above-named, rendered me deeply sensible of their strong native intelligence, their profound scientific skill, and their high culture as it regards general knowledge,-I should, certainly, have treated their recommendations with little respect. But I felt myself to be but a child, on many subjects, while conversing with them; and I began, at length, to be sensible that it would, therefore, be the most condemnable arrogance in me, to slight their judgment on matters pertaining to the very profession to which they had devoted their lives, and in which they were so distinguished. As a mesmerist, I began, now, to be in earnest; and I have continued to mesmerize daily-unless from home, or too unwell-for several months past. My operation is, simply, as follows. I commence (standing by my reclining patient) by laying the palm of my right hand on her foreheadtaking it off, five or six times, and applying it again, until about so many minutes have passed. I then point, with the fingers divided in the middle of the hand, towards the eyes, until they close--which they did, at first, in the course of ten or fifteen minutes, but now, often in three minutes, and sometimes even in one minute. I then make slow passes with the open hand-at first, from the top of the forehead to the throat, but, at length, to the feet. The patient, if I am well, and my nerves at ease, falls into a refreshing slumber; but if I am under nervous irritability, or in ill health, the sleep is only imperfect-that is to say, the patient does not become unconscious. When the magnetism has been attended to at a certain hour in the afternoon, for several days regularly, and the slumber been as regularly induced, my wife sensibly increases in strength, and pain is little feltthough no medicine be taken. Whenever the mesmerism is unavoidably neglected, pain and weakness return-which no medicine ever yet prescribed for her, can do more than imperfectly relieve. That some persons possess greater mesmeric power than others, is certain. In the January number of the Zoist,' (a publication edited by Dr. Elliotson,) there is a list of ten cures performed by Mr. Capern, of Tiverton, so wondrous, that nothing in the history of what is called 'Miracle' surpasses them. I select four, out of the list, with the wish to draw attention to Mesmerism as a fact—and I do this the more determinedly, since a large portion of the Public Press of this country, and a clique of physicians and reverends, are evidently doing all in their power to suppress information on this most important subject: from "George Candy, lime burner, Ellmore, Tiverton, aged 55 years, was subject, his twentieth year, to frequent attacks of rheuinatism, suffering much pain and often disabled from following his occupation. On one of those occasions he had been three weeks on crutches, when he happened accidentally to meet with Mr. Capern, near a public house above a quarter of a mile from his own residence. He requested Mr. Capern to try whether he could do him any good. Mr. C. consented, and went with him into the parlour of the public house, and commenced the usual passes. He felt some immediate relief whilst this was being done, and, as he was proceeding homewards, he recovered suddenly the full use of his limbs, and was able to walk with ease and comfort to his own house, carrying his crutches in triumph over his shoulders. He contracted a cold in consequence of imprudent exposure, and had a return of the pain in his ancles, and was entirely confined to his bed for five or six weeks, unable to lift a limb owing to the great suffering caused by the least motion. He was under constant medical treatment, but experienced little or no relief from the remedies employed. His bill for medicines and attendances amounted to £5 14s. At the end of the period named, he again had recourse to Mr. Capern, and, after several operations, his health was entirely restored, and he has never had a return of the complaint since, with the exception of a slight pain in the knee, immediately removed by a few passes from Mr. Capern. He is now quite well, and to all appearance a hale, healthy, and exceedingly active man. It is nearly three years since the first cure was effected, and about four or five months since he was the second time relieved." "Mrs. Mary Tapp, aged 60, was afflicted upwards of fifteen years with violent pains in the head, and severe rheumatic pains in the arms, hips, and thighs. During the whole of this period, she was never entirely free from pain. She was often unable to obtain any rest at night, in consequence of her sufferings, which were, at times, so severe as to oblige her to leave her bed, and endeavour to find relief in motion or change of posi tion. She was rendered altogether incapable of any laborious exertion, and was unable to take any active part in the management of her farm-yard. Sometimes, for weeks together, she suffered so much that she was unable to comb her hair or lace her stays with. out assistance. Happening to be accidentally at Mr. Capern's on some business when one of Mr. C's. patients was being mesmerised, and seeing the great relief afforded by the passes, she was induced to ask Mr. Capern to try what he could do for her. She had very little expectation of receiving benefit from his exertions, since, from her advanced age and the long duration of her sufferings, she had been led to look upon her case as hopeless. The first operation was followed by the almost entire disappearance of the pain in the limbs. She did not see Mr. Capern again until after an interval of some weeks, when, by the passes being made over the head, the pains in that part were almost entirely removed. Afterwards she was mesmerised three or four times, the passes being continued about ten or twelve minutes each time. She now considers herself cured. She takes the active management of the farm-yard, performing the operation of milking her cows, which for many years she was totally unable to do. She works and suffers no inconvenience from the exertion. There is still a certain degree of stiffness in the fingers and elbow-joint on the side which was principally affected. At most times, she is entirely free from pain, and although, when the weather is unfavourable, her old complaint does now and then return, the attacks are so slight that they do not interfere with Notice.-The Purchasers of "Cooper's Journal" Are respectfully informed that with No. 9, (the number for the week ending March 2nd,) Will be CIVEN AWAY, No. I. of OR CAPTAIN COBLER; THE LINCOLNSHIRE INSURRECTION:" An Historical Romance of the Reign of Henry VIII. By THOMAS COOPER, Author of 'The Purgatory of Suicides.' The succeeding Numbers will be published weekly, at ONE PENNY, until the Romance is complete. Each Number will contain Sixteen Pages. JAMES WATSON, 3, Queen's Head Passage, Paternoster Row. WORKS OF THOMAS COOPER, Already Published, to be had of JAMES WATSON, 3, Queen's Head Passage, Paternoster Row. THE PURGATORY OF SUICIDES. A Prison Rhyme. In 10 Books. WISE SAWS AND MODERN INSTANCES. A series of Tales illustrative of Lincolnshire and THE BARON'S YULE FEAST. A Christmas Rhyme. In 1 volume, sewed,.. THE MINSTREL'S SONG AND THE WOODMAN'S SONG. The Peotry and the Melody by Two Orations against taking away Human Life under any circumstances,. Eight Letters to the Young Men of the Working Classes. (Collected from the 'Plain Speaker,") SOCIAL AND DEMOCRATIC NEWSPAPER. Now Publishing. The WEEKLY TRIBUNE, a Stamped Newspaper, price 4d., devoted to Democratic and Social Reform, and specially addressed to the advanced and growing class of thinkers who, believing the present industrial, as well as political, institutions to be based on Force and Fraud, are seeking to effect a radical social, as well as governmental, change in the existing system of society. The current numbers, besides the news of the day, and leading articles thereon, contain Proudhon's "CONFESSIONS OF A REVOLUTIONIST." Eugene Sue's new Ron ance of Labour, entitled the "MYSTERIES OF THE PEOPLE." G. Vickers, Holy well-street, Strand. On the First of February, 1850, will appear, THE PEOPLE'S REVIEW: DEVOTED TO PROGRESS. (Excelsior.) THE PEOPLE; A WEEKLY PERIODICAL, PRICE ONE PENNY, THE PEOPLE is thoroughly Democratic. It is, in fact, Republican. It strikes at the life of all Here ditary and Class Legislation; it striks at the heart EDITED BY FRIENDS IN COUNCIL. both of Monarchy and Aristocracy. It aims at the Though the People have long been stirred with the spirit of improvement, no Literary Magazine has been issued at a price which they could compass. The few have their critical M nthlies and Quarterlies, while the many, who more need it, have no such Guide to Books. The People's Review pur. poses to supply the deficiency, and in this day of many Books to indicate which are the useful ones. A person reading twelve hours every day, would be able to read only one-fortieth part of the new books issued every year, exclusive of newspapers. To trace a short path through his labyrinth, and to relieve the ever multiplying class of thinkers from the difficulty which Hobbes felt when he said If should read as much as my neighbours I should be as ignorant as they are,' is the aim of the People's Review. That elongated genius, Bob Thin,' will make his obeisance in the first number, intending to have TWENTY-SIX CUTS AT THE TIMES! London: C. Mitchell, Red Lion-court, Fleet-st. It does these openly, boldly, and zealously. It has besides, of late, become the counsellor of intending Emigrants. Mr. Barker has been in America, and is giving his readers the result of his travels and observations there. It is, besides, the Herald and Advocate of Reform in general. It pleads for Progress and Improvement in all things. It seeks to promote the free and full development of the whole human being and of the whole human family. Teetotalism, Phonography, and Phrenology, Reforin in Theology, Dietetics, and the Healing Art, all share its aid. It is a wholesale and universal Reformer. thorough and universal emancipation of humanity. Passage, Paternoster Row, London; and ABEL and may London: Printed by SHIRREFS AND RUSSELL, 190, High Holborn ; and Published by JAMES WATSON, 3, Queen's Head Passage, Paternoster Row. OR, UNFETTERED THINKER AND PLAIN SPEAKER FOR TRUTH, FREEDOM, AND PROGRESS. "AND though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the earth, so Truth be in the field, we do injuriously to misdoubt her strength. Let her and Falsehood grapple! Who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?"-Milton's Areopagitica. wwwwwww No. 5. Vol. I.] FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1850. [Price One Penny. TO EARL TALBOT. "The earl he doubled his dainty fists, And vowed he'd be their master; But the cobblers pelted him out of the town, OLD SONG. MY LORD,-A man with your vulgar mind could scarcely be expected to act otherwise than you did, at the recent Protection meeting at Stafford. But as dull as your intellect is naturally, I have no doubt, that the impression made upon your seat of honour,' by the kicks of the shoemakers, will have had some effect in sharpening your understanding. You thought that the iron rule so long attempted over the people of Staffordshire, by your order, with the brutal assistance of their tenantry,—had rendered you an object of terror, rather than of hate; of fear, rather than of contempt. You imagined that he whose nod to the foreman of the jury was so potential, when poor innocent Ellis was sent over sea for twenty-one years,had but to express his will on any subject in the Shire Hall of Stafford, and no workingman, at any rate, would dare to gainsay it. Unwarned by the frequent social convulsions of Staffordshire during the last few years, you believed that the numerous hangings had intimidated the people, or that the new immense fortified gaol overawed them. You were deceived. Your attempt to suppress free opinion at your 'Protection' meeting, and the hounding of the truncheon blues upon the people to enforce your vulgar will, were met with the sturdy spirit of Englishmen. The bread-taxing propensities of yourself and co-magnates were thwarted ; your hirelings were thoroughly beaten; and as for you-you were treated as if the shoemakers believed a lord was worse than live lumber! They rivalled each other in visiting your right honourable person most vigorously, in the very quarter where the visitation would inflict the greatest indignity! They pelted you, at last, out of the town! come to be It seems, then, that you can cause riots, in Staffordshire. It has, now, Your order feel their power is going; and you care turn. your little about breaking the peace, if you can frighten the Queen and little Lord John, by your display of energy, into a restoration of the Corn Laws. A few poor men addressed the Staffordshire people seven years ago, on their grievances, and a riot took place,-when those who delivered the addresses, although they had no share either in plotting or enacting the violence, -were either imprisoned or transported. You can be permitted to raise violence, and to floor' your men in the open street, (for they say you fisted it valiantly!)—and you are to escape simply with black eyes and a little kicking. By my fay, but shares are not fairly dealt in this world? The world is changing, however, in England, my lord Talbot, You may wince; but you cannot have your Bread-tax again. And this is but the beginning of mortifications for your order. A few more years and mortgagees will foreclose, and take possession of many of their estates. You are in "a fix," and cannot avoid this. The lowering of rents will only hasten it; and yet you must lower your rents. Your little hearts' may shrink at the prospect; but why have not your clergy enlightened your minds? They have always been earnest in teaching my order, that humility was a virtue-why did they not teach yours, that there is a sure and dread retribution which, sooner or later, overtakes the evil doer? I am, my lord, yours, with real pity, THOMAS COOPER. Letters to Lords Spiritual. TO THE RIGHT REVEREND THE LORD HARRY OF EXETER. "Beneath his shadow broad and ample The slender oaklings sprout; Encouraged by his tall example, No oakling hath a doubt That he shall upward and still upward climb, Till he have reached the sire-oak's height sublime !" Peter Pindarrics. MY DEAR BISHOP,-May you live a thousand years! How glorious is your image! how worthily the lesser shepherds of your fold strive to become like you! You are the grand mirror in which true churchmen view their features, and thus become satisfied that they wear the correct visage of orthodoxy. I give you joy, once more, of the success with which you set forth an example so abounding in virtues. Do not forget, however, to nurture with preferment, this your excellent imitator, the Rector of St. Stephen's, Exeter. He has grown up under your own eye, is your own spiritual child, and you ought to care for him, most tenderly. The wicked world, you are sure, my dear bishop, will say it was an infamous act to turn the poor boy out of the charity school for carrying round, to his employer's subscribers, the Weekly Dispatch and the Western Times-especially since he was a boy well-behaved and of good character. What impiety? How could the boy's character be good, if he carried such naughty papers to people's doors, the very prints in which you have been so often maltreated? And then, the lad's mother, having seven children to support, told the Rector and the Committee, that, if it were wrong for her child to do such errands, she was very willing that he should give over-only, she hoped some of the gentlemen would get him another place. What unreasonable impudence! Only think, my dear bishop, how abominably brass-faced the poor will become, if they be not checked. The young varlet had two shillings due to him; but he did not get the money they turned him out, and said he should not have it. Glorious work, my dear bishop! And his two sisters-the young hussies!--they were turned out, too; and their linsey-woolsey charity gowns stripped off their backs. Serve 'em right! For although they had carried no naughty papers round, of course it was very wicked of them to be related to such a wicked boy! |