12 June 1846
Dr. James Esdaile,
Hooghly,
Presidency of Bengal
India
Dear Sir:
I eagerly read the account of your success with the practice of the mesmeric Art in the April, 1846 number of the Zoist, and wish to take this opportunity to introduce myself and my association.
The Committee comprises the vast majority of active practitioners of the new science of Mesmerism and its related disciplines in the British Isles, and I presently have the honor to be its Chairman. In that capacity, I hope that you will find it of interest to correspond with me so that we may assist one another in our mutual endeavors.
Our society’s library has procured a copy of your published work on the Art and it has generated significant excitement and interest; many of our number are curious regarding the origin of your knowledge of the Art and the techniques you employ. I hope that you will enlighten us and, in turn, we will be happy to assist you in any way possible.
I look forward to your earliest reply and remain,
Sincerely yours,
Rev. William Davey,
London
22 February 1847
John Jackson,
Bedford Place,
London
My dear Jackson:
A fair copy of Dr. E.’s latest missive is enclosed for your perusal, including a sketch of a curious artifact which he possesses, which he claims is an amplifier for mesmeric powers.
This item seems completely singular. No one I have consulted recognizes anything about it, except to note its antiquity—according to what I have read and learned, it is not a Hindoo likeness. As you will read, Esdaile claims that it was given to him by a wealthy gentleman who took leave of India in 1843—a Scotsman named Fergusson.
The only person I have found who meets the description is an amateur archaeologist who recently published a lengthy article in the Journal of the Asiatic Society. I can assume that this Fergusson did not know of the characteristic of greatest importance to us: but the question still remains—why would he give the item away, and why to Esdaile?
It is, regardless, a great find and probably useful against those who do not understand the limits of their own power. I think that we may well be able to teach them a few cogent lessons.
William Davey
23 July 1849
Reverend Davey:
I am enclosing for your examination an article sent to me from Doctor Esdaile in Calcutta. It contains a number of disturbing assertions that seem out of character for a man of his stature and erudition, particularly given his high level of scholarship in, and contribution to, the Mesmeric Arts. I do not think that this at all constitutes a proper submission to the Zoist, and would like your opinion on the subject.
I would call your attention in particular to his discussion of stoicheia, and the concept of the “Glass Door”—clearly a metaphor of some kind. It is entirely out of keeping with the highly interesting report appearing in the recent March number, causing me to wonder whether he has been afflicted with some malady peculiar to the tropical climes that might have affected his mind in some way.
If you could inform me of your opinion by earliest post,
William Engledue, M.D.
Editor, Zoist
11 January 1851
Dr. James Esdaile,
Hooghly,
Presidency of Bengal,
India
My dear James:
I have received your most recent letter of the 21st of November and appreciate your best wishes for a joyous holiday season; know that they are returned. I realize that your situation is uncomfortable and that you are very far from home, a fact which sometimes makes perspective difficult. I trust that it has not clouded your judgment, as well.
Though we have never personally met, all that I know of you and all that is transmitted in your correspondence lead me to believe that you are a rational and prudent man, who understands the consequences of his actions. I cannot help but believe that you have made some of the statements in your last letter in haste, for these imply a complete reversal of decisions we have taken in previous discussions.
Please understand that I am a reasonable man, and believe that I am conducting myself and the affairs of the Committee in a reasonable fashion. This is not universally the case, as many of our members have a tendency to act rashly and peremptorily. Should you return to Scotland without the item we have discussed, they might feel it necessary to take matters into their own hands. I might not be able to restrain them and this might lead to painful, or even tragic, results.
I urge you to reconsider what you have said with firm reliance that I will do all that is in my power to assure your safety and well-being. Nonetheless, you must keep my warnings in mind.
I hope that you are, and continue to be, well and remain,
Your friend and colleague,
William Davey