(Chapter vii.) that the soul being disencumbered of her mortal regards; thus loosened from her bonds; thus restored to her original purity and power of action; being of illimitable essence, she would escape her mortal bounds, and range the wild

sublime!

We have said, she will soar the welkin, pierce the starred space, and from the void to us immense beyond the throne of heaven bring gifts.

e'en from

We have said, the means of disencumbering the soul of her earthly regards, were repose, and solitude, and silence; that sleep is a measure of freedom to the soul, but that the magnetic sleep, we now say (forasmuch as is within the compass of our own experience) is an essential measure to her elevation.

Now, we have further to say, that the magnetic sleep is produced by virtue of a principle or power in some men, which being exercised towards other men of a certain character or susceptibility of affection, will set the patient to sleep. That having witnessed to this power in other men and understanding (St.Paul) that the manifestation of the spirit is given, in some degree, to every man to profit withal, we have made bold to essay, and can now declare the effects

To have authorised us in general terms to affirm, "that the patient being asleep, will answer to questions put to him on any matter which is innocent in itself, and more especially if "it hath a tendency to the welfare of mankind, with wonderful perspicacity and precision, and moreover with equal certainty "as to the effect."

Now, gentle reader, to the matter of fact.

MAGNETISM.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE Volume I am now offering to the attention of the world, is a fruit of Magnetism; that is to say, was written in the magnetic sleep written by Cesare Avena de Valdieri, in the magnetic sleep.

It was begun on the sixth day of February 1795, and ended on the ninth day of November 1797. The scene of action, or of abstraction, more properly speaking, was in a section, purposely segregated in the form of a temple, of a large hall in my consulary mansion at Alexandria.

I brought it with me upon my return to England, in May 1801, and had nothing so much at heart, as to multiply its existence, first, in print; and, next, to present it to the contemplation of the world.

And I did in reality print it, and would have consecutively published it; but in speaking of my purpose to a variety of my acquaintance, they all advised me, without any regard to the merit of the work, to postpone it awhile, for that Magnetism was not a subject of popular predilection; but was cried down, and the friends and abettors of magnetism held up to derision, and scouted and considered as no better than fools.

And in fact, repulsion and denial were the sort of treatment I met with from almost every man I attempted to converse with upon the topic of Magnetism. It was to no purpose to aliedge,

that the Committee of French Sçavants, appointed purposely by the King to examine into the merits of the question, had reported so positively as to the existence of this principle: all asseveration was vain; nothing could prevail against the torrent of prejudice that was set against it: I thought it best to go down with the stream.

The stream of time! I therefore took occasion to examine into the state of the question; to find out the ground of the publick aversion; to elucidate the subject, for the truth is every where in it; and to submit it then to the judgment of the world; for there will not want candour in the world to acknowledge the truth.

And to this end have I laboured to collect what authorities may suffice, independently of the authorities 'original' in this work to vindicate this truth: that is to say, as to the existence of a Magnetic principle, and its astonishing powers and effects.

Now if any, in their misconception and abuse of this principle, have presumed to attribute to magnetism, or to them. selves, having in some instances been able to produce magnetic effects; a power which afterwards they have not been able to repeat; it is not to be wondered at, if the publick belief should have been shaken, and that the truth, confounded in the effect of this presumption, should have been robbed of her indefeasible dues.

For so it will happen, as matter of course, with every good principle in nature; when ignorantly, or wilfully, or wantonly applied. So with fire, for example, or water, or air; and so with food even, when abusively applied. Whenever applied without due regard to the intention of Nature, the effect will of course be inverse to the intention; that is to say, will destroy, where the

intention of Nature was, in the order of Nature, to preserve; and so of magnetism.

To shew this to the conviction of mankind, and rescue Magnetism from the cloud of prejudice, wherein it hath been so long obscured, is the scope of my endeavour in the following Expository; and to obtain from the candour of an impartial publick, that honourable adoption of a cause, which, in regard to its influence on the happiness of mankind, is in all respects so religiously due.

GEORGE BALDWIN,
Born May 6-17, 1744.

"No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." St. Luke. ch. ix. ver. 62.

CONTENTS OF THE EXPOSITORY,

Shewing Magnetism to have been known to the antients, i. e. known to Esculapius one thousand years before Christ.

Known to Paracelsus, 16 century, and considered by him, and by his followers, as the Soul of the World; the informing Spirit of the Universe. The proper Vehicle of the Universal

Medicine.

Known to Van Helmont and the Alchymists of the 17th century. The thing presumed by Lord Verulam, when he is praying the

Almighty, that he would be pleased to open to us new refreshments out of the fountain of his goodness for the alleviating of our miseries; humbly and earnestly begging that human things might not prejudice such as are divine! Neither that from the unlocking of the gates of sense, and the kindling of a greater natural light, any thing of incredulity, or intellectual night, might arise in the minds of men towards divine mysteries, &c. &c.

Discovered in Europe (1779) by Mesmer. Its wonderful power and effects attested by a Committee of Doctors (Scavants) appointed by the King of France, 1784, expressly to examine into its merits, and report upon the same.

The Doctors report, that nothing is more certain than that a stupendous power herein exists, and that nothing can be more astonishing than its effects. (1784).

Commentary of the Editor.