THE PHENOMENA, &C. 685 



scarcely being able to move about his bed-room, it was ridiculous to sup- 

 pose that he could walk down stairs and proceed to the tree near the foun- 

 tain. I desired these inquisitive people not to disturb him with questions, 

 and this day I repeated the operation with the same success. 



A female, twenty-six years of age, residing at a short distance from my 

 chateau, had been labouring for nine months under an attack of fever, pains 

 in her loins and chest ; she came to see me while I was at the house of the 

 patient of whom I have been speaking, and as she expressed great confi- 

 dence in my power, I led her to the tree. I encircled her and the other 

 patient with the rope, and she received immediate relief, all her disorders 

 having left her with the exception of the fever. I acknowledge to you, my 

 friends, that my head almost turns with the delight I experience in witness- 

 ing the benefits my tenants and neighbours are receiving. 



Madame de P., all the company who are residing at her chateau, and my 

 servants, are in ecstacies of admiration, which I am unable to describe, and 

 I can assure you that they do not feel half the satisfaction I experience. If 

 I had not had recourse to my tree, which enables me to get some rest, I 

 should be in a continual agitation. I believe that my health is improved (je 

 crois a V harmonic de ma sante). I have too much existence, if I may be al- 

 lowed to make use of such an expression. Caetera desunt. 



LE MARQUIS DE PUYSEGUR. 



III. 



Busancy, 17 'th May, 1784. 



If you do not arrive here, my dear brother, before Sunday next, you will 

 not have an opportunity of seeing my extraordinary patient, as his health is 

 nearly re-established, and he is able" to attend to his affairs. He told me, 

 however, while in the crisis, that he would again require to be touched, and 

 indicated the days, which are Thursday, Saturday, and Monday, for the last 

 time ; he added, that my task was a difficult one, but, that in order to suc- 

 ceed, it was absolutely necessary to touch him. 



I continue to make use of the power which I have acquired through Mr. 

 Mesmer, and I daily offer up my prayers to Heaven for his happiness, for I 

 am of immense service to my sick neighbours ; they flock in great numbers 

 around my tree, and this morning there had assembled around it as many as 

 a hundred and thirty. It is a continual procession throughout the country ; 

 they crowd around my tree, and I spend two hours near it every morning. 

 My tree is the best baquet* possible ; every leaf communicates health every 

 individual experiences, more or less, beneficial effects from it, and you would 

 be delighted in witnessing these wonders. I have but one regret, and that 

 is, I cannot touch every body ; but my patient, or rather he from whom my 

 acquired knowledge proceeds, tranquillizes me with respect to the conduct I 

 am to pursue ; according to him, it is not necessary that I should touch every 

 T one a look, a motion, a WISH is sufficient ; and it is an ignorant peasant 

 who teaches me that. When he is in a crisis, I do not know any body more 

 profound, more prudent, and more circumspect. There are several other men 

 and women who approach in some degree to his state, but none can be com- 

 pared with him ; and this is a painful reflection, for next Tuesday I must 

 bid farewell to my council, as this man will not require being touched any 

 more, and I shall not be prevailed upon, through motives of pure curiosity, 

 to make use of him, except to cure him and do him good. If you wish to 

 see and hear him, do not fail arriving here, at latest, on Sunday. 



Adieu ! my dear brother : I invite you, in the most pressing manner, to 

 come and participate my pleasure ; when you will have seen all these worthy 



* A kind of trough, around which those who were magnetized were obliged 

 to sit. 



