An History of Magic, Witchcraft, and Animal Magnetism, Vol. 1

Time, however, works wonders in the moral as well as in the physical world; and science has its revolutions and reactions as well as empires. A considerable number of intelligent and inquisitive men—undismayed by the denunciations of the ignorant and the self-interested—gradually obtained instruction from the modern discoverer of Animal Magnetism, or his immediate disciples—made experiments themselves—succeeded in eliciting the much-controverted phenomena, and thus became convinced of the truth of the facts, and of the utility and importance of the forbidden magnetic doctrine.

But the more obstinate among the skeptics would not even look at the facts alleged to have been discovered; or, if they did condescend so far, they would not believe their own eyes, unless the causes in operation were immediately and satisfactorily explained to them. Such an explanation, in those early times, however, was not an easy matter; and, at all events, even had it been practicable, probably MESMER was not the man to provide it. Besides, it is well known that many phenomena may be observed long before it becomes possible to explain them, or to demonstrate their rank and value in the scale of human achievement; and, therefore, the skeptics were too unreasonable and impatient. How many natural phenomena are there, too, which have been known for centuries before their scientific causes, and various