Observations sur le magnétisme animal

of a nature to give it credit. It was told that Mr. Mesmer, by the sole direction of his eyes, his finger, his cane, or a simple wand, caused a remarkable sensation in the Persons who consulted him, and that at the sound of instruments, he made them feel very vivid impressions. This was true; but it must be admitted that nothing more closely resembles tours de passe-passe sleight-of-hand or magic tricks, and that it was quite permissible to be incredulous.

If one wishes to add to that, the first action of Mr. Mesmer's principle is not always very perceptible, and even that certain organizations meaning certain physical constitutions or body types resist it absolutely, one will understand the diversity of opinions among the Persons whom simple curiosity brought close to Mr. Mesmer. For among those who felt real but