Transcribed from the 1843 J. W. Aikin and J. Thew edition byDavid Price,
BY
WILLIAM ARMES.
LYNN:
PUBLISHED BY J. W. AIKIN, AND J. THEW,
HIGH STREET.
1843.
In offering this address to the consideration of the candidand sober minded of my fellow Townsmen, I am guided by no desireto prop, by my small influence, any new, and possibly false,theory; or to cry down, without examination, the pretensions ofany science (so called) however adverse to my preconceivedideas.
The subject of Mesmerism and of Mesmeric Phrenology has, forsome time past, occupied the attention of the inhabitants ofLynn, and the various phenomena exhibited, as might have beenexpected, have called forth the credulous wonder of one class,the unworthy ridicule of another, and the patient and quietexamination of a third.
Two pamphlets have appeared upon the subject, which it is notmy intention to remark upon at any length. The first(written, I have no doubt, with the very best intention) is fromthe p. 4pen ofan individual who was associated with a small party, employed inthe rigid scrutiny of the exhibitions of the Lecturer; who didnot, in the Meetings held for that propose, express his doubt ordissent to much of the most novel and starling phenomena; but,who thought it not inconsistent with his position, to leave hisfriends in the midst of their unfinished inquiry; and, prejudgingthe question, to placard the Town, with yellow handbills, afterthe style of other Pamphleteers, advertizing hisproportion. This publication, certainly, in the estimationof most intelligent men, is not remarkable for any thingapproaching critical investigation or inquiry; but may, possibly,amuse the children and the vulgar, by the low exhibitions of art,imitating wit, by which the author has adorned it.
The last Pamphlet, by Mr. Cotton, published under theambiguous title of “Popular delusions applied toMesmerism,” has just issued from the press; I have read itvery carefully, and am perfectly astonished to find how verylittle Mr. C. to say upon the subject.
I can well believe him when he says, “We have gone outof our way to draw up these lines,” it really appears so,and I feel persuaded, that, whatever opinion his readers may formof the entire work, this passage, at least, will be universallyreceived as perfectly clear and veracious.
Mr. C. tells us, at the outset, he is “but a p.5gatherer,” this also is very evident, and, I onlyregret that he had not been directed to quarters where he mighthave gathered something upon the subject; or, at least, morerelevant than the conglomerated mass of hard names and phrases,with which he has soiled his pages; which can only induce thehead-ache in any of his readers, who should be induced to followhim, in his mental meanderings. And, I have no doubt, thishas been the result to the Author, in his toilsome“gathering” of such mighty material!
These two gentlemen, sheltering themselves under the names ofthose great men, who, it is very true, have discarded, or throwndoubt upon the subject of Mesmerism, have pleased themselves withthe idea of their honourable companionship: they have exulted inthe presumption of being influenced by the same genius; and,looking at the track, marked out by thes