a matter of some little difficulty yet! To say how to avoid them, is of more consequence to the world, but is given to experience and attentive observation, with common certainty to determine.

3zo. The profound repose of one part of the patients, surprises as much as the agitation of others. You are presented with the most extraordinary sympathies; you see successive accidents exactly repeated by patient after pa tient. Some of the patients seek each other with eagerness, smile, and talk to each other earnestly, and by these actions their crises seem to be abated.

Commentary. The profound repose of one part of the patients, if a simultaneous effect with the agitations of another part, is certainly of a nature to create surprise; and to such especially. as are conversant with the power and effects of magnetism. It is not, however, an irreconcileable appearance to those who consider how differently the same medicine will act upon different habits, and especially upon different diseases.

The convulsions and agitations of the other part, extended to the whole, were a much more natural effect, as a general effect: but as the case is represented, what were to be expected from a jumble of contraries but a confusion of origine; an abortion of results?

4to. All of them are absolutely under the command of him who magnetises them; in vain they may seem buried in the profoundest lethargy; a word, a look, a sign, from him recalls their attention.

Commentary. This judgment is not given upon sufficient consideration of the fact. The attention of the patient, although in this apparent state of lethargy, is more awake to circumstances than at any other time: a word, a look, a sign, will suffice to recall his attention; yes, to what? Not merely to a look, or to a sign; but to the most secret motive of the magnetiser. Let him only conceive an improper motive in his heart, and he will soon be convinced that the patient is not under the absolute

command, nor under any the least imaginable command of the magnetiser.

510. Nothing is more certain than that a stupendous power here exists, which actuates the patients, subdues them, and of which he who magnetises seems to be the depositary.

Commentary. May seem indeed to be the depositary! but if any one will try to subdue the patient in defiance of any resistance he might make, he will presently be convinced that it is only seeming. The power of the magnetiser is in the consent of the patient indispensably. We know of no instance of its power in opposition to the will of the patient, nor independently of his consent expressed by himself or by his friends. It is stupendous, without being stupendous in any exaggerated interpretation of its power. It is stupendous, because the agency employed is so simple, producing such astonishing effects; because the effects are absolutely independent of any skill, or knowledge of what the effect may be; or in fact, of any thing but the good purpose of the magnetiser; because his power is in his purpose alone. It must be a virtuous purpose! It is a spiritual power, whereof the magnetiser may seem indeed to be the depositary; but is only the vehicle, the instrument, the medium; as many more may be in different parts of the world at the same moment of time.

The foregoing Report was ushered to the world by a monthly catalogue of new publications for November 1784, with Strictures of the Editor, as is usual, to determine the judgment of the publick as to the worthiness of new works; by which strictures, commonly received as critèriæ; the author and his work are adjudged to fortune or to ruin, as the bias "peradventure" may be given.

Now our entreaty to the publick upon this submissive is, that they will be pleased to exercise their own individual judgment

in an examination of the work, and the strictures of the Editor thereupon, as he has been pleased himself to represent them to the criticism of the world. — viz.

Catalogue for November 1784, and our Commentary thereupon.

Catalogue. Extract 1st. The two performances whose titles are inserted at the head of our article, are intended to examine the animal magnetism in two different points of view. The Committee had been appointed by the King to investigate the subject, before Mr. Thouret had published his book entitled "Recherches et Doutes sur le Magnetisme Animal;"

it was their business to examine the practice and effects of magnetism, as politicians (vide Report); Mr. Thouret undertook to consider it as an abstract science as a philosopher.

Commentary Imo. The two performances alluded to we have not seen in their original state. We are only acquainted with their merits through the good offices of the monthly catalogue, and the strictures under contemplation. The first mover in this enquiry appeareth to have been, that is to say, in the name of the King, politically moved! But Mr. Thouret was the first to consider it as an abstract science, as a philosopher! There seemeth to prevail a sort of jealousy about precedence in this inquisition into the question of magnetism! For us, it is of very little moment who was first, or who was last. Considered physically, or considered politically! if it is proved that magnetism is beneficent in its effects, that is to say, restorative of health, where it was most to be despaired of; we cannot be brought to comprehend how a physical good, can be politically pernicious; or how the general interests of the state, can be found to be incompatible with the individual welfare of the people. We were of opinion that every physical benefit should hold an irrefragable claim. upon the political protection of nations, and not to be postponed without injury to the country, or without reproach to the government where the contrary should prevail.

Extract do. The Royal Society of Medicine, in their approbation prefixed' to Mr. Thouret's book, inform us that they had long beheld with extreme disquiet the vogue acquired by the animal magnetism; that they were dissatisfied that its proceedings, good or bad, should have been administered to the sick, and paid for by the publick, without having been submitted previously to them for approbation, in defiance of good order and the express provisions of the government; and that they had, as in duty bound, cried out upon the abuse from the beginning.

Commentary 2do. To cry out upon an abuse, may be very proper; but to cry out upon an useful discovery, because the authority of the Royal Society of Medicine had not been previously consulted, cannot be said to coincide so strictly with the sacred principles of justice. The professors of magnetism, according to this precept, were to have submitted their proceedings to the Royal Society of Medicine, even before they had proceedings to submit. They did not consider that magnetism, is only known to us by its effects; and that many, and very extensive instances of its good effects, were an indispensable aggregation of proof, whereon to establish a fit and undeniable plea to such grave and justly renitent approbation. These evidences the professors of magnetism were proceeding to collect. Their practice had already acquired vogue; so far they had the vor dei, the sanction of the publick voice in their behalf; but the publick had paid for it! Irremissible offence! Good or bad, said the Royal Society of Medicine, down with it!

Now, to condemn a practice which had acquired vogue, because the professors in that practice had not submitted their proceedings before they had proceedings to submit; that is to say, because they had accumulated evidence of its utility; and to reject a benefit upon the very ground, on which alone it could be entitled to protection; was doing, we are bold to say, not as they were in duty bound to do, in justice to mankind; but con

d

trary to common sense, abusively of their authority, and offensively toward God; who had been pleased so to impart this. wonderful blessing to the who shall say that he is

worthy among this his ungrateful family of mankind.

Extract Szo. In this situation of affairs, Mr. Thouret observed to the Royal Society of Medicine, that animal magnetism was not, as had been imagined, a new and attractive discovery; but was to be found in Paracelsus, Van Helmont, and the Alchymists of the 17th century: and had been long since exploded and consigned to oblivion. In pursuance of this idea, the Society of Medicine requested Mr. Thouret to examine the works of the ancient writers, and lay Lefore them the result of his researches. A considerable part of the volume before us contains what Mr. Thouret had done in consequence of their requi sition.

Commentary 320. It is fortunate for the world, that Mr. Thouret should have discovered in his reading, that animal magnetism was not, as had been imagined, a new thing! but was to be found in Paracelsus, (16th century) one of the great luminaries of the medical tribe; Van Helmont, and the Alchymists of the 17th century. This was information of some moment, no doubt, to the Royal Society of Medicine; but of more moment still, as it suggested motive of enquiry, how, and on what ground this interesting principle, could have been exploded and consigned to oblivion.

In pursuance, therefore of this idea, the Royal Society of Medicine requested of Mr. Thouret to examine into the works of the ancient writers; that is to say, read over again the repertories of his former information, and tell them, if he can discover how, and on what ground it could come to pass, that a principle so highly appreciated among the noblest pillars of their profession, should have been in any wise exploded and consigned to oblivion.

Mr. Thouret, on this head, proceeds to report,

Extract 4to. The coincidence is indeed remarkable between the magnetism.