well known as the most strenuous and formidable opponent
of, and sceptic concerning, the curative effects of mesmerism. Before
his arrival the lady, in her magnetic sleep, had said that it would
last longer this time than usual, and that she would not awake for
fully two hours. Soon after this she attained the highest stage of
clairvoyance, and began her mystic utterances. The mesmerist told us
that, in this highest grade, the subject was a wholly spiritual being,
had completely stripped off the body, and was utterly insensible to
physical pain. The old doctor thought this was an opportunity for
making a decisive experiment in the cause of science, for the
convincing of all the incredulous; and proposed that he should be
allowed to burn the sole of the lady's foot with a red-hot iron, and
see whether she would feel it or not. It seemed rather a terrible
experiment, but abundant means of cure were at hand; he had brought
them in his pocket, and a small iron for the purpose as well. These he
at once produced.

"The mesmerizer averred that, on awaking, the lady would not mind any
slight inconvenience which she might thus suffer in the cause of
science, and ordered a chafing-dish to be brought. It came, and the
doctor placed his iron in it to be heated. Just then the lady was
seized with a sudden spasm, heaved a deep sigh, awoke, and complained
of feeling uncomfortable. The old doctor cast a piercing glance at her,
unceremoniously cooled his iron in some mesmerized water which happened
to be on the table, put it in his pocket, took his hat and stick, and
left the house. The scales fell from my eyes. I hastened to take my
departure also, indignant at the vile deception which this fine lady
was practising on her mesmerizer, and on us all.

"As a matter of course, neither the mesmerizer nor the devotees--who
looked upon their visits as a species of mystic divine service--were in
the slightest degree enlightened by what had occurred. It is equally a
matter of course that I, for my part, was convinced that everything in
the shape of mesmerism was the merest chimeric superstition, and would
listen to nothing more on the subject.

"My destiny took me to B----. There, also, much was being said about
mesmerism, but there was no mention of any experiments on it going on.
It was said that a much esteemed old doctor, the director of the
admirably ordered lunatic asylum there--like the one in the Residenz
who, in a horrible manner,