o had previously mesmerised him,
to accompany him to Neufchatel, and try to mesmerise me. These
gentlemen arrived here with the evening courier, and informed me of
their arrival. At eight o'clock I went to them. We continued at
supper till half past nine o'clock, and about ten o'clock Mr
Townshend commenced operating upon me. While we sat opposite to one
another, he, in the first place, only took hold of my hands, and
looked at me fixedly. I was firmly resolved to arrive at a
knowledge of the truth, whatever it might be; and therefore, the
moment I saw him endeavouring to exert an action upon me, I
silently addressed the Author of all things, beseeching him to give
me power to resist the influence, and to be conscientious in regard
to myself, as well as in regard to the facts. I then fixed my eyes
upon Mr Townshend, attentive to whatever passed. I was in very
suitable circumstances; the hour being early, and one at which I
was in the habit of studying, was far from disposing me to sleep. I
was sufficiently master of myself to experience no emotion, and to
repress all flights of imagination, even if I had been less calm;
accordingly it was a long time before I felt any effect from the
presence of Mr Townshend opposite me. However, after at least a
quarter of an hour, I felt a sensation of a current through all my
limbs, and from that moment my eyelids grew heavy. I then saw Mr
Townshend extend his hands before my eyes, as if he were about to
plunge his fingers into them; and then make different circular
movements around my eyes, which caused my eyelids to become still
heavier. I had the idea that he was endeavouring to make me close
my eyes; and yet it was not as if some one had threatened my eyes,
and, in the waking state, I had closed them to prevent him. It was
an irresistible heaviness of the lids, which compelled me to shut
them, and by degrees I found that I had no longer the power of
keeping them open; but did not the less retain my consciousness of
what was going on around me; so that I heard M. Desor speak to Mr
Townshend, understood what they said, and heard what questions they
asked me, just as if I had been awake; but I had not the power of
answering. I endeavoured in vain several times to do so; and when I
succeeded, I perceived that I wa