1762. Mary Russell Mitford to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 9, 232.
Three Mile Cross,
Nov. 17, 1844. [1]
My beloved Friend,
Jane [2] has been mesmerized twice. The second time Mr. Cowderoy [3] produced catalepsy in the right arm, and she has told me that she perceived all that passed behind her, so that we are in a train to get a clairvoyante subject if we like. But I have no such intention.... Mr. Cowderoy says that if Miss Martineau writes her own cure only, she will do good; but if mixed up with details of a marvellous nature she will only get wrecked upon the sharp edges of prejudice in every quarter. Just look again at her letter, and see if there be not every risk of her proclaiming the dicta of this young ignorant girl, not as the production of a singular state brought about by this new and powerful physical agent, but as real and actual “spiritual dicta”—as things true in themselves, and to be believed, not as the mere expression of a certain sort of delirium, and valuable only as showing the power of the agent. For certainly what is wanted of mesmerism is, not the wild notions of girls of nineteen, but the power to alleviate disease and perform operations without pain. Be quite sure that Miss Martineau will do the cause much harm if she writes about these spiritual dicta in the spirit of her letter.
Do you ever see the “Phrenological Journal?” In the number for September, Mr. Donovan, whom I have seen here and like much, has an article on an imputed head of Cromwell, which is admirable. [4] If they have it at Saunders & Otley’s, do send for the number.
The Oxford papers say that the Queen, when at Strathfieldsaye, [5] is coming here to call upon me. God forbid! No great danger.
Ever your own, my dearest,
M.R.M.
Text: L’Estrange (2), III, 181–182 (as 27 November 1844).
1. Dated by references to The Phrenological Journal and the Queen, to which EBB responds in her letter of 20 November. L’Estrange’s dating of 27 November may have resulted from a misreading of Miss Mitford’s handwriting.
2. Miss Mitford’s maid.
3. Perhaps Benjamin Cowderoy of 137 Castle Street, Reading, who was a stockbroker with offices at 122 London Street.
4. “On the Reputed Head of Oliver Cromwell,” by Mr. C. Donovan, appeared in the October 1844 issue of The Phrenological Journal (pp. 365–379). The article was dated “September 3, 1844.”
5. The Banbury Guardian of 21 November reported on the Queen’s visit to Strathfieldsaye, but it made no mention of Miss Mitford.
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