ficient to draw the point of the instrument lightly over the diseased part, following the direction of the principal nerves, for about twenty or thirty minutes, two or three times a day. These instruments evidently acted on the same principles as animal magnetism, and although Perkins has taken great pains, in a pamphlet he published on the subject, to show that the operation of the tractors was not dependent on this cause, we cannot but class him with Mesmer and his followers. Added to which, he is claimed as such by Deleuze, who observes, that not only the good effects produced by the tractors were attributable to magnetism, but that the mode of curing toothach by crushing a lady-bug between the fingers, and then touching the tooth with them, arose from the same cause; "for I am far from believing," says he, "that an insect can communicate a curative virtue to the fingers; but he who is persuaded of it, uses them with confidence and will, (volonté) and hence often succeeds." Whilst on the subject of the cure of toothach by lady-bugs, it may be interesting to our readers to know that Signor Gerbi, the discoverer of the plan, cured 401 persons in 629, by this mode. The best plan, according to him, is to bruise the insects (for the benefit of naturalists we give its long name-Curculio antiodontalgicus, but the Coccinella septempunctata is equally useful,) between the finger and thumb; about a dozen should be used: the curative power of the fingers will last for a year, but is somewhat enfeebled by every tooth that is operated on. * Signor Gerbi does not inform us whether the hands are to be washed during this period.

But to return to Perkinism; the inventor or his son, (we are not certain which,) finding that the United States did not afford a sufficient field for his operations, went to England, where he obtained a patent for his instruments, which were soon generally used; pamphlet after pamphlet was published, announcing the wonderful cures performed by this simple remedy, and the newspapers teemed with evidences of their utility. The mania rose to such a height, that a public establishment was formed, called the Perkinean Institution, for the purpose of diffusing the benefits of tractoration among the poor. The delusion continued for a length of time, till the imposition was discovered, and the effects produced lucidly explained by Dr. Haygarth, as depending wholly on the imagination; for he found that pieces of wood were equally efficacious in their operation of removing pain, as the patent metallic tractors at five guineas a pair, although Perkins most solemnly warned the public against counterfeits. Every genuine set being stamped with the words Perkins' Patent Tractors, accompanied with a receipt for five guineas, signed in the

handwriting of the patentee, proved most incontestably that the great power of the tractors resided in the patent and the five guineas.

As all discoveries in science have been traced to the Celestial empire, it is not to be supposed that so important an art was unknown in China. M. de Puységur gives the following account, derived from a missionary to that country, named Amiot, of its use, eleven centuries ago. The Chinese believe in a corporeal but invisible agent, occupying all space, which they call Tay ki; this is constituted of two elements termed l'yn and l'yang, one of which is hurtful, the other beneficial; hence, when they are in exact proportion in any individual, he enjoys good health, but if either predominates, disease necessarily results; these principles answer to the magnetic poles.

"In their books on medicine," says the Father, "there is an example of a cure performed by means of l'yn-yang, without any other remedy being employed, or any conductor used, than a simple bamboo tube. During the Tang dynasty, a mandarin of high rank had a wife, whom he saw was declining in health from day to day, without complaining of any particular disease; he wished her to consult a physician, but she opposed it, observing that when she married, she had made a firm resolution never to permit herself to be seen by any other man than her husband, and that she would not break this vow, should even death be the consequence; the mandarin endeavoured by every means to overcome this delicacy, but in vain. He consulted physicians, who all told him that they could not prescribe without having some account of the disease, or seeing the patient. An old philosopher at length presented himself, and declared that he would undertake to cure her without seeing her, or entering the apartment in which she was, provided she would hold in her hand one end of a long bamboo tube, whilst he held the other. The mandarin thought this an extraordinary procedure, and, without attaching any faith to the proposed remedy, he mentioned it to his wife as something to amuse her. The patient consented to the experiment; the operator came with his tube, and having placed it in the manner before described, told the woman to apply it to the spot in which she supposed her disease to exist, and to move it from place to place, until she experienced pain. She obeyed; and when the tube was directed to the region of the liver, a violent pain ensued, which caused her to cry out. Do not permit the instrument to escape from your grasp,' observed the operator, you will infallibly be cured.' Having kept her in a state of torture for about a quarter of an hour, he retired, and promised the mandarin to return every day, at the same hour, until a complete cure was effected; this took place after the sixth operation. The mandarin recompensed him liberally, but begged him to avow whether this cure had not been accomplished by sie fa, or magic; my art,' replied the magnetiser, 'is founded on the most common laws of nature, and therefore has never deceived me.'"

The editors of the Propagateur du Magnétisme animal, who also quote this case, appear to consider it as authentic, and observe, that they could cite many analogous instances occurring under their own observation, where cures had been performed, when the magnetiser was widely separated from the patient.

But to return to magnetism, as it is now professed and practised. In analysing this portion of the works before us, we shall let the authors tell their own story, convinced that "their round unvarnished tale," will more completely develop the absurdities,

as well as the dangerous tendency of the doctrine, than any observations we can offer. The art has now become so extended in its field of operations, and embraces such a variety of topics, that it will be impossible to present more than a mere sketch of the subject; we must therefore refer such of our readers as are anxious to obtain more particular information of this extraordinary science, to the works themselves, and can assure them, that if they remain unconvinced of the truth of the theory, they will at least find an ample fund of amusement, in the miraculous tales with which they are replete.

As we have already observed, magnetism received a severe shock, from the report of the committee appointed at Paris to examine into its pretensions, and it remained for some time in a dormant state, when a new phenomenon presented itself, which has excited the present enthusiasm in its favour, and placed the art on a new basis. We allude to the discovery, that Somnambulism was capable of being excited by it.

Somnambulism, it is well known, is a kind of morbid sleep, that occurs naturally in some persons, during an attack of which, an individual may walk about, or perform his usual routine of occupations, and even converse with those around him, yet, on being awakened, retains no remembrance of what had passed. This condition, or one analogous to it, is produced by a magnetiser, at will; the patient's eyes are closed, and, in fact, all the external senses are in the same state as in sleep, whilst the internal perceptions are invigorated in an astonishing degree, and a kind of instinct is developed, that acts in a most miraculous manner. During this magnetic somnambulism, the patient is wholly under the influence of his magnetiser, who can oblige him to answer questions on almost every topic, although in the natural condition of his faculties, he may be totally unacquainted with the subjects.

It appears that the Marquis de Puységur, was the first who perceived this result from the powers of animal magnetism. Having accidentally spoken to a person whom he had reduced to a state of somnambulism, to his extreme astonishment he was answered, and informed of the proper mode of treatment to be adopted in the case, and moreover, that all patients should be thus interrogated as to their diseases.

But this is not all,

"It is to somnambulists," says Deleuze, "that we owe all the information that we have acquired as to the nature of the magnetic fluid. The majority of somnambulists see a luminous and brilliant emanation environ their magnetiser, particularly around his head and hands. They are sensible that man can accumulate, direct, and even saturate, different substances with this fluid, at will. It has an agreeable smell to them, and communicates a peculiar taste to water and food. They also perceive various qualities in this fluid, in different individuals; they pretend that it is not as luminous, is of less tenuity, and issues more slowly from persons in ill health. On this account, they evince much repugnance in

touching any clothing that has been worn by an individual, suffering under dis

ease."

This accounts for the marvellous stories which have been lately current, of these somnambulists being able to tell the disease with which an individual, living in another country, may be affected, merely from an inspection of a lock of his hair.

In the Propagateur du Magnétisme animal, several of these incidents are related, one of which we will condense, as affording a fair example of the extent to which this delusion has been carried. "We arrived," says the relater, "at the house of MM. Chapelain and Dupotet, were introduced, and found a female in a state of somnambulism; her eyes were completely closed, and the lids appeared to be so firmly applied to each other, that tears could not escape. Mr. Dupotet was consulting her about a patient in the country, who had sent a lock of his hair, and which she held in her hand. She ordered the proper remedies for the case. A letter from the sick person was shown to us, in which he says, that the symptoms she had described him as suffering from, really existed." A similar narrative has been given in one of the last numbers of the London Literary Gazette.

The mode of producing somnambulism, and all other magnetic effects, are given at great length, in L' instruction pratique sur le magnétisme animal, par Deleuze, as well as in his Histoire critique. As some of our readers may wish to try the experiment themselves, we have endeavoured to reduce these rules to as small a compass as possible.

"When any person is desirous of being magnetised, you must make him promise to obey your directions in every particular, and, above all, not to mention his intention of submitting to the operation, to any individual. When he has agreed to this, the process may be undertaken, but nobody is to be present, except the necessary witnesses, and if possible but one of these; whoever does attend, must not be allowed to interfere in the operation or its results.”

"Having fixed the person in a commodious posture, you are to place yourself on a seat a little more elevated than his, and directly opposite to him, so that your knees and feet may touch. Then take his thumbs between your fingers, in such a manner, that his and your thumbs may be applied to each other; you are to remain in this position, till you feel that they have acquired an equal temper ature."

We would remark, that all the authors on animal magnetism, are of opinion, that the action of this fluid is better communicated by the thumbs, than in any other manner.

"The hands are then to be placed on the shoulders, and suffered to remain there two or three minutes, and afterwards gently brought down the arms to the thumbs; this manœuvre is to be repeated three or four times. Then the two hands are to be placed over the pit of the stomach, so that the thumbs are over the solar plexus, and the fingers on the ribs. When you feel an equalization of temperature, the hands are to be gradually lowered to the knees, then carried to the head, and again brought down to the knees, or even to the feet; this process is to be continued for some time, always taking care to turn the palms of

the hands outwards, whenever they are brought up; this, as well as never to magnetise from the feet to the head, is very essential."

This mode of magnetising, is called by the professors of the art, "magnétiser à grandes courans," and should always be used at the commencement of the treatment; for, all the authorities we have consulted, agree that it is dangerous to concentrate the magnetism on any one part, particularly in nervous persons; but, after they are thus universally magnetised, you may apply an additional quantity of this fluid to the diseased part. MM. Deleuze and Puységur also give some very important directions as to the conduct of the operator :—

"He is not," say they, "to employ any muscular force to direct the magnetic action. All the movements are to be easy and graceful. The hand is not to be extended, but the fingers are to have a gentle curve. A magnetic sitting should be about three quarters of an hour; for, as it is indispensable that the attention should not flag, a longer time would be fatiguing. The operator is ne ver to be undecided, but is to act with confidence; to entertain a sentiment of pity, and a desire to afford relief. When the sitting is about to finish, great care must be taken to extend the fluid over the whole surface of the body, and it is proper to make some passes* on the legs, from the knees to the feet, to free the head."

Such is the latest and most improved plan of magnetising in a general way; to detail all the particular processes to be employed in different diseases, would require a volume. There are, however, some important requisites, for both magnetiser and magnetised, which are essential to the success of the undertaking. They are, in fact, the foundation of the whole science; as, without them, magnetism is but a dead letter. These are, according to Deleuze, "an active feeling of good will; a firm belief in the power of magnetism; and entire confidence in its employer."

After somnambulism is produced, the patient should be asked if he sleeps; if this should wake him, this state must not be attempted to be re-excited during that sitting; if, however, he answers without waking, the desired effect has been induced, and other questions may be proposed, on the nature of his disease, and the remedies to be employed in its cure; but caution must be used, in so asking the questions that no mistake can ensue. When it is wished to unmagnetise the patient,—

"You must draw off the fluid by the extremity of the hands and feet, in making the passes beyond these parts, and shaking your fingers after each pass. Afterwards you are to make some passes across the face and breast, keeping the hands about three or four inches from them. These are made, by presenting the hands joined, and separating them quickly from each other, as if to carry off the superabundant fluid with which the patient may be charged."

Somnambulism has become the great aim of all the magnetis

We are obliged to use the French word, for the want of a term in English that would convey the exact idea: it means any movement of the hands in magnetising.