l state,--not recognizing
father, mother, or brothers, or remembering _anything_ connected with
the year preceding their mesmeric condition. They learned everything
which was submitted to their _intellect_ during this interval with
something very like _supernatural_ intelligence. Emma, another
well-known patient of Dr. Elliotson, constantly described herself, when
in a mesmeric state, as 'greatly better than well,' and this was always
said with a countenance expressive of very sublime happiness,--but as if
her hearers were not capable of comprehending it. I shall feel very
anxious to hear the results of your own experience; for it appears to me
that you are in a state of mind equally unlikely to mistake truth for
falsehood, or falsehood for truth." Upon receiving a second pamphlet
treating on the same subject, Mrs. Trollope wrote as follows: "The
document you have sent me, my dear Sir, is indeed full of interest. Had
it been less so, I should not have retained it so long. In speaking of a
state of mesmerism as being one of disease, I by no means infer that the
mesmeric influence is either the cause or effect of disease, but that
only diseased persons are liable to it. I have listened to statements
from more than one physician in great practice tending very clearly to
show that the manifestations of this semi-spiritual state are never
observed in perfectly healthy persons. One gentleman in large practice
told me that he had almost constantly perceived in the last stage of
pulmonary consumption a manifest brightening of the intellect; and
children, at the moment of passing from this state to that which follows
it, will often (as I well know) speak with a degree of high intelligence
that strongly suggests the idea that _there are moments when the two
conditions touch_. That the region next above us is occupied by the
souls of men about to be made perfect, I have not the shadow of a doubt.
The puzzling part of the present question is this,--Why do we get a dark
and uncertain peep at this stage of existence, when philosophy has so
long been excluded from it? and I am inclined to say in reply, 'Be
patient and be watchful, and we shall all know more anon.'"--Such is the
character of notes that Mrs. Trollope wrote at the age of seventy-five.

Mrs. Trollope realized from her writings the large sum of one hundred
thousand dollars; but generous tastes and a numerous family created as
large a demand as there was supply, and kept her