Edgar Allan Poe’s “Mesmeric Revelation”
A (Very) Short History of Animal Magnetism or Mesmerism:1779 Franz Anton Mesmer publishes Mémoire sur la découverte du magnétisme animal
1784 Louis XIV establishes a royal commission to explore the veracity of Mesmer’s claims of the existence of magnetic fluid in the body
1813 Joseph P.F. Deleuze publishes Histoire Critique du Magnestism Animal
1836 Charles Poyen publishes Report on the Magnetical Experiments
1837 Deleuze’s work is translated and published in America as Practical Instruction in Animal Magnetism
1837 Charles Poyen publishes Progress of Animal Magnetism in New England and begins to tour America giving demonstrations of the mesmeric art
1840 Chauncey Hare Townsend publishes Facts in Mesmerism
1841 A committee is organized in Boston to witness the experiments of Robert H. Collyer—their findings as to the truth of the “science” are inconclusive
1843 John Elliotson publishes Surgical Operations without Pain in the Mesmeric State
1844 Poe’s “The tale of the Ragged Mountains” is published in the April issue of Godey's Lady’s Book
1844 Poe’s “Mesmeric Revelation” is published in the August issue of The Columbian Lady’s and Gentleman’s Magazine
1845 Harriet Martineau publishes Letters on Mesmerism
1845 Poe’s “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar” is published in the December issue of American Review
1836 Charles Poyen publishes Report on the Magnetical Experiments
1837 Deleuze’s work is translated and published in America as Practical Instruction in Animal Magnetism
1837 Charles Poyen publishes Progress of Animal Magnetism in New England and begins to tour America giving demonstrations of the mesmeric art
1840 Chauncey Hare Townsend publishes Facts in Mesmerism
1841 A committee is organized in Boston to witness the experiments of Robert H. Collyer—their findings as to the truth of the “science” are inconclusive
1843 John Elliotson publishes Surgical Operations without Pain in the Mesmeric State
1844 Poe’s “The tale of the Ragged Mountains” is published in the April issue of Godey's Lady’s Book
1844 Poe’s “Mesmeric Revelation” is published in the August issue of The Columbian Lady’s and Gentleman’s Magazine
1845 Harriet Martineau publishes Letters on Mesmerism
1845 Poe’s “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar” is published in the December issue of American Review
Can Sciences of the Mind, like Mesmerism, objectively explore a space that is defined by individual experience?
● “Whatever doubt may still envelop the rationale of mesmerism, its startling facts are now almost universally admitted” (401).
● “I say that these — which are the laws of mesmerism in its general features — it would be supererogation to demonstrate; nor shall I inflict upon my readers so needless a demonstration to-day. My purpose at present is a very different one indeed. I am impelled, even in the teeth of a world of prejudice, to detail without comment the very remarkable substance of a colloquy, occurring between a sleep-waker and myself” (402).
● “In short, I was not long in perceiving that if man is to be intellectually convinced of his own immortality, he will never be so convinced by the mere abstractions which have been so long the fashion of the moralists of England, of France, and of Germany. Abstractions may amuse and exercise, but take no hold on the mind” (403).
● “I consented of course to make this experiment. A few passes threw Mr. Vankirk into the mesmeric sleep” (404).
● “Whatever doubt may still envelop the rationale of mesmerism, its startling facts are now almost universally admitted” (401).
● “I say that these — which are the laws of mesmerism in its general features — it would be supererogation to demonstrate; nor shall I inflict upon my readers so needless a demonstration to-day. My purpose at present is a very different one indeed. I am impelled, even in the teeth of a world of prejudice, to detail without comment the very remarkable substance of a colloquy, occurring between a sleep-waker and myself” (402).
● “In short, I was not long in perceiving that if man is to be intellectually convinced of his own immortality, he will never be so convinced by the mere abstractions which have been so long the fashion of the moralists of England, of France, and of Germany. Abstractions may amuse and exercise, but take no hold on the mind” (403).
● “I consented of course to make this experiment. A few passes threw Mr. Vankirk into the mesmeric sleep” (404).
Charles Poyen on Mesmerism:
“Those who attended my last lecture in this city, on Animal Magnetism, will recollect thst in finishing, I pronounced the following words:—“These facts (the magnetical phenomena) had been produced, and are every day repeated, in almost every part of continental Europe. I have seen them also produced, and in a manner still more surpsrising, in the French West Indies. They have been witnessed and confirmed by men of the highest rank and merit. Therefore, from analogy, I say, and positively affirm, that they ought to be produced one day or another, by making proper experiments; for, those facts are but the natural consequences of certain faculties of human organization. Now human organization is pretty much the same under the same latitude. The magnetical phenomena have manifested themselves in Germany, Prussia, France, &c. they undoubtedly will be manifested in the United States of America and soon we shall see that important truth as fairly demonstrated here as it is now in Europe.”
Charles Poyen. “Animal Magnetism.” The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal (6 April 1836), pg. 14.
“Those who attended my last lecture in this city, on Animal Magnetism, will recollect thst in finishing, I pronounced the following words:—“These facts (the magnetical phenomena) had been produced, and are every day repeated, in almost every part of continental Europe. I have seen them also produced, and in a manner still more surpsrising, in the French West Indies. They have been witnessed and confirmed by men of the highest rank and merit. Therefore, from analogy, I say, and positively affirm, that they ought to be produced one day or another, by making proper experiments; for, those facts are but the natural consequences of certain faculties of human organization. Now human organization is pretty much the same under the same latitude. The magnetical phenomena have manifested themselves in Germany, Prussia, France, &c. they undoubtedly will be manifested in the United States of America and soon we shall see that important truth as fairly demonstrated here as it is now in Europe.”
Charles Poyen. “Animal Magnetism.” The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal (6 April 1836), pg. 14.
The (Still Undefined) Boundaries between Truth and Fiction:
From The New World (August 3, 1844):
“Mr. Poe cannot, on so serious a subject, trifle with his readers: yet more extraordinary statements can hardly be conceived. We do believe in the facts of mesmerism, although we have not been able to arrive at any theory sufficient to explain them. Here, however, we are not staggered. Of course the narrative will be universally circulated, so we recommend it to the perusal of our readers and invite them to draw their conclusions.”
From Poe’s letter to Reverend George Bush (January 4, 1845)
“You will, of course, understand that the article is purely fiction: — but I have embedded in it some thoughts which are original with myself and I am exceedingly anxious to learn if they have claim to absolute originality, and also so far as they will strike you as well-based.”
From The New World (August 3, 1844):
“Mr. Poe cannot, on so serious a subject, trifle with his readers: yet more extraordinary statements can hardly be conceived. We do believe in the facts of mesmerism, although we have not been able to arrive at any theory sufficient to explain them. Here, however, we are not staggered. Of course the narrative will be universally circulated, so we recommend it to the perusal of our readers and invite them to draw their conclusions.”
From Poe’s letter to Reverend George Bush (January 4, 1845)
“You will, of course, understand that the article is purely fiction: — but I have embedded in it some thoughts which are original with myself and I am exceedingly anxious to learn if they have claim to absolute originality, and also so far as they will strike you as well-based.”
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