"Certainly," replied Mr. Wilmot then, turning towards Ellen, he said, "Will you visit me at my house?"
"With much pleasure," was her immediate answer.
"Where is it situated?"
"In Park Lane."
"Come in with me. What do you see?"
"A splendid hall, with a marble table between two pillars on one side, and a wide flight of stairs, also of marble, on the other."
"Come with me into the dining room of my house. Now what do you see?"
"Seven large pictures."
"Where are the windows?"
"There are three at the bottom of the room."
"What colour are the curtains?"
"A rich red."
"What is the subject of the large picture facing the fire-place?"
"The battle of Trafalgar."
"How do you know it is that battle?"
"Because I can read on the flag of one of the ships the words, 'England expects that every man will do his duty.'"
"I shall not ask her any more questions," said Mr. Wilmot, evidently quite amazed by these answers. "Every one of her replies is true to the very letter. And I think," he added, turning towards the other guests, "that you all know me well enough to believe me, when I declare most solemnly that this young person has never, to my knowledge, been in my house in her life."
A murmur of satisfaction arose amongst the guests, who were all perfectly astounded at the phenomena now illustrated—although they had come, as before said, with a predisposition in favour of Mesmerism.
"We will have another proof yet," said the Professor. "Perhaps Mr. Parke will have the kindness to question the patient."
Mr. Parke stepped forward, and said, "Will you do me the favour to walk with me to my house."
"Thank you, I will," answered Ellen, still apparently remaining in a profound mesmeric sleep.
"Where is my house?"
"In Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square."
"How many windows has it in front?"
"Thirteen."
"Where are the two statues of Napoleon?"
"In the library."
"What else do you see in that room?"
"Immense quantities of books on shelves in glass cases."
"Are there any pictures?"
"Yes—seven."
"What is the subject of the one over the mantelpiece?"
"A beautiful view of London, by moonlight, from one of the bridges."
"Wonderful!" ejaculated Mr. Parke. "All she has said is perfectly correct. It is not necessary to ask her any more questions on this subject."
"Gentlemen," said the Professor, casting a triumphant glance around him, "I am delighted to perceive that you are satisfied with this mode of illustrating the phenomena of clairvoyance. I will now prove to you that the patient can read a book held open behind her head."
He then performed some more manipulations to plunge his patient into as deep a mesmeric sleep as possible, although she had given no symptom of an inclination to awake throughout the preceding examination. Having thus confirmed, as he said, her perfect state of coma, the Professor took up a book—apparently pitched upon at random amongst a heap of volumes upon the table; and, holding it open behind the head of the patient, he said, "What is this?"
"A book," was the immediate reply.
"What book?"
"Milton's Paradise Lost."
"At what page have I opened it?"
"I can read pages 110 and 111."
"Read a few lines."
Ellen accordingly repeated the following passage in a slow and beautifully mellifluous tone:—
"Now morn, her rosy steps in th' eastern clime
Advancing, sowed the earth with orient pearl,
When Adam waked, so 'customed, for his sleep
Was airy light, from pure digestion bred,
And temperate vapours bland, which th' only sound
Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan,
Lightly dispersed, and the shrill matin song
Of birds on every bough."[77]
"That is sufficient," cried several voices. "Do not fatigue her. We are perfectly satisfied. It is really marvellous. Who will now dare to doubt the phenomena of clairvoyance?"
"Let us take a picture," said the Professor; "and she will delineate all the leading points in it."
The mesmerist took an engraving from a portfolio, and held it behind Ellen's head.
"What is this?" he demanded.
"A picture."
"What is the subject?"
"I do not know the subject; but I can see two figures in the fore-ground, with a camel. The back-ground has elevated buildings. Oh! now I can see it plainer: it is a scene in Egypt; and those buildings are the pyramids."
"Extraordinary!" cried Mr. Wilmot.
"And that little hesitation was a proof of the fact that she could really see the picture," added Mr. Parke.
"Wonderful! extraordinary!" exclaimed numerous voices.
At this moment a servant entered the room and delivered a letter to his master, the Professor, stating that it had just been left by a friend from Paris.
The mesmerist was about to open it, when a sudden idea seemed to strike him.
"Gentlemen," he exclaimed, throwing the letter upon the table, "the arrival of this missive affords me an opportunity of proving another phenomenon belonging to clairvoyance. The patient shall read this letter through the envelope."
"But if its contents be private?" said a guest.
"Then I am surrounded by gentlemen of honour, who will not publish those contents," returned the professor with a smile.
A murmur of approbation welcomed this happy compliment of the Frenchman.
The mesmerist held the letter at a short distance from Ellen's countenance, and said, "What is this?"
"A letter," she replied. "It is written in French."
"Read it," cried the mesmerist.
"The writing is obscure, and the lines seem to cross each other."
"That is because the letter is in an envelope and folded," said the Professor. "But try and read it."
Ellen then distinctly repeated the contents of the letter, of which the following is a translation:—
"Paris.
"Honoured Sir—I have to acquaint you with the alarming illness of my beloved mistress, your aunt Madame Delabarre. She was taken suddenly ill four days ago. Two eminent physicians are in constant attendance upon her. It is believed that if she does not get better in a few days, the medical attendants will perform an operation upon her. Should your leisure and occupation permit, you would do well to hasten to France to comfort your venerable relative.
"Your