The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 83, September, 1864

Оглавление

Various. The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 83, September, 1864

THE CADMEAN MADNESS

THE BRIDGE OF CLOUD

THE ELECTRIC GIRL OF LA PERRIÈRE

LITERARY LIFE IN PARIS

THE DRAWING-ROOM. PART II

THE MASKERS

CULLET

WHAT WILL BECOME OF THEM?

A STORY IN TWO PARTS. PART II

FORGOTTEN

WET-WEATHER WORK

VIII.—CONCLUSION

REGULAR AND VOLUNTEER OFFICERS

THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF INANIMATE THINGS

WHAT SHALL WE HAVE FOR DINNER?

BEFORE VICKSBURG

MAY 19, 1863

OUR VISIT TO RICHMOND

WHY WE WENT THERE

HOW WE WENT THERE

WHAT WE DID THERE

REVIEWS AND LITERARY NOTICES

RECENT AMERICAN PUBLICATIONS

RECEIVED BY THE EDITORS OF THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY

Отрывок из книги

Eighteen years ago there occurred in one of the provinces of France a case of an abnormal character, marked by extraordinary phenomena,—interesting to the scientific, and especially to the medical world. The authentic documents in this case are rare; and though the case itself is often alluded to, its details have never, so far as I know, been reproduced from these documents in an English dress, or presented in trustworthy form to the American public. It occurred in the Commune of La Perrière, situated in the Department of Orne, in January, 1846.

It was critically observed, at the time, by Dr. Verger, an intelligent physician of Bellesme, a neighboring town. He details the result of his observations in two letters addressed to the "Journal du Magnétisme,"—one dated January 29, the other February 2, 1846.1 The editor of that journal, M. Hébert, (de Garny,) himself repaired to the spot, made the most minute researches into the matter, and gives us the result of his observations and inquiries in a report, also published in the "Journal du Magnétisme."2 A neighboring proprietor, M. Jules de Farémont, followed up the case with care, from its very commencement, and has left on record a detailed report of his observations.3 Finally, after the girl's arrival in Paris, Dr. Tanchon carefully studied the phenomena, and has given the results in a pamphlet published at the time.4 He it was, also, who addressed to M. Arago a note on the subject, which was laid before the Academy by that distinguished man, at their session of February 16, 1846.5 Arago himself had then seen the girl only a few minutes, but even in that brief time had verified a portion of the phenomena.

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Such is a summary of the facts, embodied in a report drawn up by Dr. Tanchon on the fifteenth of February. He took it with him on the evening of the sixteenth to the Academy of Sciences, and asked M. Arago if he had seen the electric girl, and if he intended to bring her case that evening to the notice of the Academy. Arago replied to both questions in the affirmative, adding,—"If you have seen her, I shall receive from you with pleasure any communication you may have to make."

Dr. Tanchon then read to him the report; and at the session of that evening, Arago presented it, stated what he himself had seen, and proposed that a committee should be appointed to examine the case. His statement was received by his audience with many expressions of incredulity; but they acceded to his suggestion by naming, from the members of the Academy, a committee of six.

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