THE PHENOMENA, &C. 



extremely curious. The translator was acquainted in Paris with this 

 gentleman, and the following is a brief sketch of this staunch adherent 

 to the doctrines of Mesmer : 



Armand de Chastenet, Marquis de Puysegur, was a General of 

 Artillery, before the Revolution ; he was born in 1 752 is the grand- 

 son of a marshal of France. His extensive knowledge, amiable 

 manners, and strict probity caused him to be beloved by the whole 

 army. He served at the siege of Gibraltar, where he distinguished 

 himself, and was particularly noticed by the Comte d'Artois (Charles 

 X.),who gave him the command of the regiment of Strasburg. He 

 was kept two years in prison at Soissons, during the reign of terror, 

 and had a narrow escape from the guillotine. In 1799 he was ap- 

 pointed Mayor of Soissons, and in this situation he rendered immense 

 services to the poorer class of the inhabitants. In 1805 he returned 

 to his estate of Busancy, and has, until 1816, devoted his time to the 

 pursuit of his favourite study, Mesmerism. The public papers have 

 continually mentioned the extraordinary cures effected by him on 

 numerous patients. He is the author of a great number of scientific 

 works. 



I. 



Au Chateau de Busancy, near Soissons, 8th May, 1784, 



WHILE pleading the cause of Animal Magnetism, I am merely pleading 

 that of its celebrated discoverer ; and if I attempt to impart a few notions 

 upon the subject you will easily perceive how enthusiastically devoted I am 

 to Mr. Mesmer. 



I do not pretend giving you the theory of Animal Magnetism, nor enter 

 into a discussion respecting its analogy with the whole system of the world 

 Mr. Mesmer alone can undertake so great a task ; I merely wish to in- 

 form you what method I pursue to cure maladies, and to relate a few sur- 

 prising and unexpected effects produced by a science which the world is now 

 beginning to appreciate. 



I can scarcely flatter myself that T am sufficiently enlightened not to make 

 some slight errors in entering into this brief explanation ; the inferences that 

 I draw from facts may be called in question, and even refuted, for aught I 

 know, but you may place implicit reliance upon my averments respecting 

 the cures that have been performed I am incapable, as all who know me 

 can testify, of uttering a falsehood. 



My firm belief is, that there exists an universal fluid vivifying the whole 

 world, and that this is not an ancient error, but an ancient truth which 

 ignorance has caused to be rejected. My opinion is, that this fluid is conti- 

 nually moving about the universe, and that this fact is now upon the point 

 of being credited. The only palpable idea we have hitherto had respecting 

 the motion of this fluid, is that which electricity has given us. Mineral 

 magnetism had also given us an idea, less palpable, but more positive ; for 

 how can a magnetized needle, a body without motion, be moved by any other 

 power from its place. I am convinced that medical men, by making use of 

 these two discoveries for the relief of the sick, have evinced their ignorance 

 respecting the cause of these phenomena. 



Animal magnetism now gives us a convincing proof of the existence of an 

 universal fluid continually in motion, and presents to mankind the certain 

 means of curing all the maladies from which we suffer. 



If we admit that this universal fluid is spread through all nature, we may 



