KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



351 



suspicion. People are not to be so easily " done" 

 as they used to be. But we digress. 



The business of the meeting opened, and the 

 "Annual Report" read by that noble and conscien- 

 tious philosopher, Dr. Elliotson, the various 

 speakers commenced their harangue. After dwell- 

 ing at some length upon the benefits arising from 

 mesmerism, and detailing some remarkable cases of 

 cure (in addition to the very many others alluded 

 to in the Report), they came to the astounding and 

 disgraceful fact— that the funds of the Institution 

 were inadequate to meet the expenses ! "What 

 surprised us more than all was, to hear that cer- 

 tain people in affluence who had been cured by 

 mesmerism of what medicine could not reach, 

 refused to contribute one penny towards the 

 cause ! They publicly confessed the cure, but 

 withheld the helping hand. Their purse-strings had 

 never been drawn. Even the "subscribers" were 

 (some of them) behind-hand ! This, in the very 

 face of certain " great facts " which ought to 

 make all the world unite as one man, to aid their 

 fellow-creatures whilst suffering from pain of body 

 or anguish of mind. 



One thing is quite evident. During the year, 

 mesmerism, as a curative power, has made rapid 

 strides in public estimation. What our medical 

 men in London dare not acknowledge (from the 

 fear of losing their practice), numbers of country 

 practitioners are daily giving their adhesion to. 

 Nay ; they sacrifice their very best interests, by 

 professing and practising mesmerism openlv. 

 They heal, and take no money for it, — so devoted 

 are they to the cause of benevolence, and so un- 

 willing to injure their fellow-men. If space per- 

 mitted, we should like to'dwell very much on this ; 

 but it is otherwise. 



Passing over the speeches of the Rev. W. 

 Sandby, Messrs. Grattan, Majendie, and others, 

 let us say a word or two about Captaix Hudson, 

 the lion of the meeting. He spoke nearly at the 

 last ; he ought to have spoken first. We said 

 a good deal about him last year ; and therefore 

 shall be brief now. 



This worthy man is a host in himself. The 

 intensity of his feeling, and his volubility of ex- 

 pression, are positively defightful. He records his 

 facts with the rapidity of lightning, — one crowding 

 on the back of another in powerful eloquence. 

 There is little detail ; but the actual thing accom- 

 plished is vividly brought before the mind's eye. 

 Then look at his face— his heart is there ! His heart 

 and countenance unite in confirming the truth of 

 every loordhe utters. He practises mesmerism in 

 all parts of the north of England,— here, there, 

 everywhere. Brain fever, spinal complaints, 

 rheumatism, spasmodic affections, lingering com- 

 plaints of twelve years' duration, fearful cases of 

 mental derangement,— all yield to the operations 

 of his hands. He is ail-but worshipped in Liver- 

 pool, Sheffield, and the large northern towns. 

 Two hundred and three public Lectures has he 

 given since this time last year, in addition to his 

 usual daily duties ! And there he was, on the 

 platform (after a long journey)— hearty, cheerful 

 jolly;— willing, evidently, to " spend and be spent" 

 for the benefit of his fellow-man. He is of a 

 muscular, commanding presence— very good- 

 tempered, and an angel of mercy to the cause he 

 advocates. 



We want a few more such men. Energy is 

 that which carries a good cause forward. Perse- 

 vere — persevere — persevere ! "The harvest is 

 plentiful, but the laborers are few." Once again, — 

 Captain Hudson, give us your hand. And may 

 God speed you on your way ! 



Let us, in conclusion, entreat our lady readers 

 to pay a visit to 36, Weymouth Street. They 

 will here find a most humane and excellent secre- 

 tary ; also, many of their own sex, engaged daily 

 (under his able direction) in pleasing labors of 

 love. Let them assist in this good cause, either 

 personally or by subscription. Every trifle, how- 

 ever small, sets a good example. " Be instant, 

 in season and out of season." 



Amongst all the virtues, " Charity" ranks high- 

 est. And what greater charity can there be, than 

 the alleviation of pain in a fellow creature, — more 

 particularly when such alleviation can be obtained 

 in no other way ? 



Let us not plead in vain. 



THE PLEASURES OF DREAMING ,— 



OR, 

 THE "FIVE SENSES" REALISED IN SLEEP. 



I slept ! methought, my form around 



A fairy circle rich aud bright 

 Seem'd cast; which, by its magic, bound 



Each sep'rate sense in mute delight. 



A beauteous scene before me spread, 



Arabia's odors filled the air ; 

 And Heaven-born music seemed to shed 



Its softest notes upon my ear. 



Something more soft than India's web, 

 With silken touch stream'd o'er my cheek, 



And nectar 'd cups were at my lips, 



That kings might leave their thrones to seek. 



I woke — and found the vision real, 

 For thou wert bending o'er me there; 



That silken touch was not ideal, 

 For o'er me wav'd thy glossy hair. 



More than Arabia's spices choice 



Thy breath sweet perfume shed around; 



And, in the whispers of thy voice, 



I heard prolonged that music's sound. 



The nectar'd cup — the zone of light — 

 Well might I deem their birth divine ! 



Thine arms had proved that circle bright, 

 Thy lips were gently press'd to mine! 



Q. 



OPENING OF THE CRYSTAL PALACE,— 

 SYDENHAM. 



This long- talk ed-of event took place on 

 Saturday, the 10th ult., in the presence of 

 Her Majesty and Prince Albert, and other 

 "people of importance." The day was tine 

 over-head, although the wind was boisterous ; 

 and the attendance on the occasion, if not 

 very numerous, was yet sufficiently so to 

 produce a highly interesting scene. 



All the " doings " on the occasion, and 



