THE MESMERIST.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1739, 11 July 1862, Page 5

THE MESMERIST.

He stands before a gathered throng strange knowledge to unfold. Charming the dazzled fancy, like the fairy tales of old ; Yet must he brook the idle jest, the cold and doubting sneer, He hath no beaten path to tread, no practised ■' ■ - course to steer. The wondrous science that he strives to bring to life and light Is softly faintly breaking from the misty shades of light: And scoffing prejudice upbraids the pure and genial ray, Because it doth not burst at once to pure and beaming day. He tells the healing benefits that through this

power arise, How sweet and soothing sleep may seal the weary mourners eyes ; How raging madness may be checked, how sufferers may obtain The boon of deep oblivion thro' the keenest throbs of pain. Anon he dwells on lofter themes and shows how

mind may claim, An empire independent of the still and slumbering frame ; Doubt y& the proofs, ye careless throng, submitted to your view? Hold ye them in derision bceause untried and

new? Know that improvements ever wend a tardy course on earth ; And though Wisdom's mighty goddess gained perfection at her birth, Her children reach by blow degrees the vigour of their prime, For wisdom of this lower world requires the growth of time. None wish ye on the statements of a single voice to rest,

The marvels ye have witnessed, ye are urged to prove and test. Survey them in their varied forms— enquire— observe — inspect — Watch — meditate — compare — delay — do all things but neglect. If ye bear in mind the lesson that to-day ye have been taught ; Ye need not lack materials for intense and stirring t.hought, And my simple lay can little aid an Orators dis-

course, So gifted with the energy of intellectual force. But 1 ask ye, if your cherished ones sharp anguish should endure, Which the stated arts of medicine had in vain

essayed to cure, Would it not grieve you to reflect, ye might those pangs allay, While jestingly and mockingly ye cast the means

away. Mistake me not — I prize not aught however great and wise, If held not in subjection to the God who ruies the skies ; To me all knowledge would be poor, all splendour - would be dim All boons unsafe, all joys untrue unless derived from Him. And if eagerly this wondrous power I witness and

approve, It i 8 because I know no bounds to Heavens amazing love, And I cannot by the pedant rules of critic caution

scan The depths of those exhaustless gifts his mercy

. pours on man. Lines by Mrs. Abdv, widow of the late Rev

Mr. Abdy, of St, John's, Southwark