Authors: George W. M. Reynolds,James Malcolm Rymer
"Ah! my poor aunt! my poor aunt!"
cried the Professor: " she is no more! It was her death that the patient
foretold ere now! Yes - the two physicians - the painful operation - Oh! my
poor aunt!"
The mesmerist tore open the letter, hastily glanced over it,
and handed it to the gentleman who stood nearest to him. This individual
perused it attentively, and, turning towards the other guests, said, - "It
is word for word as the patient read it."
The enthusiasm of the disciples of mesmerism present was
only damped by the grief into which the Professor was now plunged by the
conviction of the death of his venerable aunt. They, therefore, briefly
returned their best thanks for the highly satisfactory illustrations of the
truths of mesmeric phenomena which they had witnessed upon the occasion, and
took their leave, their minds filled with the marvels that had been developed
to them.
The moment the guests and the reporters had taken their departure, the
Professor hastened up to Ellen, took her by the hand, and exclaimed in a
transport of joy, "You may rise, my good young lady; it is all over! You
acquitted yourself admirably! Nothing could be better. I am delighted with you!
My fortune is made - my fortune is made! These English blockheads bite at
anything"
Ellen rose from the chair in which she had feigned her
mesmeric sleep, and was by no means displeased with the opportunity of
stretching her limbs, which were dreadfully cramped through having remained an
hour in one unchanged position. The Professor compelled her to drink a glass of
wine to refresh her; and in a few minutes she was perfectly at her ease once
more.
"Yes," repeated the mesmerist; " you
conducted yourself admirably. I really could not have anticipated such perfection
at what I may call a mere rehearsal of your part. You remembered every thing I
had told you to the very letter. By cleverly selecting to examine you, those
persons whose houses I have visited myself, and the leading features of which I
am able to explain to you beforehand, I shall make you accomplish such wonders
in this respect, that even the most sceptical will be astounded. You have an
excellent memory; and that is the essential. Moreover, I shall never mislead
you. The book and the print agreed upon between us during the day, shall always
be chosen for illustration at the lecture. By the bye, your little hesitation
about the engraving was admirable. You may always introduce that
piece of acting
into your part: it appears true. The part then is not over-done. I
give you great credit for the idea. In a few days I shall tell all my friends
that I have received a letter announcing my aunt's death; and that her demise
took place at the very moment when you behold her death-bed in your mesmeric
slumber. This will astound them completely. On the next occasion we must
introduce into our comedy the scene of
the patient describing what takes
place is another room with a wall intervening
; and as we will settle beforehand all that I shall
do in another apartment, upon the occasion, that portion of the task will not
be difficult."
"But suppose, sir," said Ellen, "that a
gentleman, concerning whose house you have given me no previous description,
should wish to examine me, - what must I do in such a case?"
"Remain silent," answered the Professor.
"And would not this excite suspicion?"
"Not a bit of it. I have my answer ready - '
There is
no magnetic affinity, no mesmeric sympathy, between you and your interlocutor.
'
That is the way to stave off such a difficulty; and it applies equally to a
stranger holding books or prints for you to read with the back of your
head."
"I really can scarcely avoid laughing when I think of
the nature of the farce," observed Ellen.
"And yet this is not the only doctrine with which the
world is duped," said the Professor. "But it is growing late; and you
are doubtless anxious to return home. I am so well pleased with you, that I
must beg you to accept this five-pound note as an earnest of my liberal intentions.
You were very perfect with the poetry and the letter - the letter, by the
bye, from my poor old aunt, whose existence is only in my own
imagination!- Indeed, altogether, I am delighted with you!"
Ellen received the money tendered her by the mesmerist, and
took her departure.
Thus successfully terminated her first essay as a patient to
a Professor of Animal Magnetism!
THE FIGURANTE
THE wonders performed by the Professor of Mesmerism produced an
immense sensation. The persons who had been admitted to the "private
exhibition," did not fail to proclaim far and wide the particulars of all
that they had witnessed; and, as a tale never loses by repetition, the
narrative of those marvels became in a very few days a perfect romance. The reporters
of the press, who had attended the exhibition, dressed up a magnificent account
of the entire proceedings, for the journals with which they were connected; and
the fame of the Professor, like that of one of the knights of the olden time,
was soon "bruited abroad through the length and breadth of the land."
At length a public lecture was given, and attended with the
most complete success. Ellen had an excellent memory; and her part was enacted
to admiration. She recollected the most minute particulars detailed to her by
the Mesmerist, relative to the interior of the houses of his friends, the
contents of letters to be read through envelopes, the subjects of prints, and
the lines of poetry or passages of prose in the books to be read when placed behind
her. Never was a deception better contrived: the most
wary were deluded by it; and the
purse of the Professor was well filled with the gold of his dupes.
But all things have an end: and the deceit of the Mesmerist
was not an exception to the rule.
One evening, a gentleman - a friend of the Professor - was
examining Ellen, who of course was in a perfect state of coma, respecting the
interior of his library. The patient had gone through the process of
questioning uncommonly well, until at length the gentleman said to her,
"Whereabouts does the stuffed owl stand in the room you are
describing?"
In the abstract there was nothing ludicrous in this query:
but, when associated with the absurdity of the part which Ellen was playing,
and entering as a link into the chain of curious ideas that occupied her mind
at the moment, it assumed a shape so truly ridiculous that her gravity was
completely overcome. She burst into an immoderate fit of laughter: her eyes
opened wide - the perfect state of coma vanished in a moment - the
clairvoyance
was forgotten - the catalepsy
disappeared - and the patient became unmesmerised in a moment, in total
defiance of all the prescribed rules and regulations of Animal Magnetism!
Laughter is catching. The audience began to titter - then to
indulge in a half-suppressed cachinnation ;- and at length a chorus of hilarity
succeeded the congenial symphony which emanated from the lips of the patient.
The Professor was astounded.
He was, however, a man of great presence of mind: and he
instantaneously pronounced Ellen's conduct to be a phenomenon in Mesmerism,
which was certainly rarely illustrated, but for which he was by no means
unprepared.
But all his eloquence was useless. The risible inclination
which now animated the great majority of his audience, triumphed over the
previous prejudice in favour of Mesmerism; the charm was dissolved - the spell
was annihilated - the pitcher had gone so often to the well that it got broken
at last - the voice of the Professor had lost its power.
No sooner did the hilarity subside a little, when it was
renewed again; and even the friends and most staunch adherents of the Professor
looked at each other with suspicion depicted upon their countenances.
What reason could not do, was effected by ridicule:
Mesmerism, like the heathen mythology, ceased to be a worship.
The Professor grew distracted. Confusion ensued; the
audience rose from their seats; groupes were formed; and the proceedings of the
evening were freely discussed by the various different parties into which the
company thus split.
Ellen took advantage of the confusion to slip out of the
room; and in a few moments she left the house.
Her occupation was now once more gone; and she resolved to
pay another visit to the old hag.
Accordingly, in a few days she again sought the miserable
court in Golden Lane.
It was about three o'clock in the afternoon, when the young
lady entered the apartment in which the old hag dwelt. The wrinkled wretch was
seated at the table, working. She had bought herself a new gown with a portion
of the money which she had received from Ellen on the occasion of recommending
the latter to the Mesmerist; and the old woman's looks were joyful - as joyful
as so hideous an expression of countenance would allow them to be - for she
thought of being smart once more, even in her old age. Vanity only ceases with
the extinction of life itself.
"Well, my child," said the old woman, gaily;
"you have come back to me again. Surely you have not already finished with
your Mesmerist?"
"Yes," replied Ellen. "The bubble has burst,
and I am once more in search of employment."
"And in such search, miss, will you ever be, until you
choose to settle yourself in a manner suitable to your beauty, your
accomplishments, and your merits," said the old woman.
"In what way could I thus settle myself?"
"Do you ask me so simple a question? May you not have a
handsome house, a carriage, servants, money, rich garments, jewels, and a box
at the Opera, for the mere asking?"
"I do not require so much," answered Ellen, with a
smile. "If I can earn a guinea or two a week, I shall be contented."
"And do you not feel anxious to set of! your charms to
the greatest advantage?" demanded the old woman. "How well would
pearls become your soft and shining hair! how dazzling would your polished arms
appear when clasped by costly bracelets! how lovely would be your little ears
with brilliant pendants! how elegant would be your figure when clad in rustling
silk or rich satin! how the whiteness of your bosom would eclipse that of the
finest lace! Ah! miss, you are your own enemy - you are your own enemy!"
"You forget that I have a father," said Ellen,-
"a father who loves me, and whom I love,- a father who would die if he
knew of his daughter's disgrace."
"Fathers do not die so easily," cried the old hag.
"They habituate themselves to every thing, as well as other people. And
then - think of the luxuries and comforts with which you could surround the old
man."
"We will not talk any more upon that subject,"
said Ellen firmly. "I well understand your meaning; and I am not prudish
nor false enough to affect a virtue which I do not possess. But I have my
interests to consult; and it does not suit my ideas of happiness to accept the
proposal implied by your language. In a word, can you find me any more
employment?"
"I know no more Mesmerists," answered the old hag,
in a surly tone.
"Then you can do nothing for me?"
"I did not say that - I did not say that," cried
the hag. "It is true I can get you upon the stage; but perhaps that
pursuit will not please you."
"Upon the stage!" ejaculated Ellen. "In what
capacity?"
"As a
figurante
, or dancer in the ballet, at a
great theatre," replied the old woman.
"But I should be known - I should be recognised,"
said Ellen.
"There is no chance of that," returned the hag.
"Dressed like a sylph, with rouge upon your cheeks, and surrounded by a
blaze of light, you would be altogether a different being. Ah! it seems that I
already behold you upon the stage - the point of admiration for a thousand
looks - the object of envy and desire, and of every passion which can possibly
gratify female vanity."
For some moments Ellen remained lost in thought. The old
woman's offer pleased her: she was vain of her beauty; and she contemplated
with delight the opportunity thus presented to her of displaying it with
brilliant effect. She already dreamt of success, applause, and showers of
nosegays; and her countenance gradually expanded into a smile of pleasure.
"I accept your proposal," she said: "
but —"
"Why do you hesitate?"
demanded, the old woman.
"Oh! I was only thinking that the introduction would be
better —"
"If it did not come from me?" added the old woman,
her wrinkled face becoming more wrinkled still with a sardonic grin.
"Well, make yourself easy upon that score. I am only aware that a
celebrated manager has a vacancy in his establishment for a figurante, and you
may apply for it."
"But I am ignorant of the modes of dancing practised
upon the stage," said Ellen.
"You will soon learn," answered the old woman.
"Your beauty will prove your principal recommendation."
"And what shall I give you for your suggestion?"
asked Ellen, taking out her purse.
When a bailiff makes a seizure in a house, he assures
himself with a glance around, whether there be sufficient property to pay at
least his expenses; - when a debtor calls upon his creditor to ask for time,
the latter surveys the former for a moment, to ascertain by his countenance if
he can be trusted; - the wholesale dealer always "takes stock," as it
were, of the petty detailer who applies to him for credit ;- and thus was it
that the old woman scrutinized with a single look the capacity of Ellen's
purse, so that she might thereby regulate her demand. And all the while she
appeared intent only on her work.
"You can give me a couple of guineas now," the old
woman at length said; "and if your engagement proves a good one, you can
bring or send me three more in the course of the month."
This arrangement was immediately complied with, and Ellen
took leave of the old hag, with the fervent hope that she should never require
her aid any more.
On the following day Miss Monroe called upon the manager of
the great national theatre where a figurante was required.
She was ushered into the presence of the theatrical monarch,
who received her with much urbanity and kindness; and he was evidently pleased
with her address, appearance, and manners, as she explained to him the nature
of her business.
"Dancing in a ball-room, and dancing upon the stage,
are two very different things," said the manager. "You will have to
undergo a course of training, the length of which will depend upon your skill
and your application. I have known young ladies become proficient in a month -
others in a year - many never, in spite of all their exertions. Most of the
figurantes have been brought up to their avocation from childhood; but I see no
reason why you should not learn to acquit yourself well in a very short
time."
"I shall exert myself to the utmost, at all
events," observed Ellen.
"How are you circumstanced?" inquired the manager.
"Excuse the question; but my object is to ascertain if you can support
yourself during your apprenticeship, as we may term the process of study and
initiation?"
"I have a comfortable home, and am not without
resources for my present wants," answered Ellen.
"So far, so good," said the manager. "I do
not seek to pry into your secrets. You know best what motives induce you to
adopt the stage: my business is to secure the services of young, handsome, and
elegant ladies, to form my
corps de ballet
. It is no compliment to you to
say that you will answer my purpose, provided your studies are
successful."
"With whom am I to study, sir? "
"My ballet-master will instruct you," replied the
manager. "You can attend his class. If you will come to the theatre
to-morrow morning at ten o'clock, you can take your first lesson."
Ellen assented to the proposal, and took leave o[ the
manager. They were mutually satisfied with this interview: the manager was
pleased with the idea of securing the services of a young lady of great beauty,
perfect figure, and exquisite grace ;- and, on her side, Ellen was cheered with
the prospect of embracing an avocation which, she hoped, would render her
independent of the bounty of others.
And now her training commenced. In the first. place her feet
were placed in a groove-box, heel to heel, so that they formed only one
straight line, and with the knees turned outwards. This process is called
"
se tourner
." At first the pain was excruciating - it was a
perfect martyrdom; but the fair student supported it without a murmur; and in a
very few days her feet accustomed themselves, as it were, to fall in dancing
parallel to each other.
The second lesson in the course of training consisted of
resting the right foot on a bar, which Ellen was compelled to hold in a
horizontal line with her left hand. Then the left foot was placed upon the bar,
which was in this case held up by the right hand. By these means the stiffness
of the feet was destroyed, and they were rendered as pliant and elastic as if
they had steel springs instead of bones. This process is denominated "
se
casser
."
Next, the student had to practise walking upon the extreme
points of the toes, so that the foot and the leg formed one straight line. Then
Ellen had to practise the flings, capers, caprioles, turns, whirls, leaps,
balances, borees, and all the various cuts, steps, positions, attitudes, and
movements of the dance. During the caprioles the student had to train herself
to perform four, six, and even eight steps in the air; and the fatigue produced
by these lessons was at times of the most oppressive nature.* [*The French
terms for the various steps and features of the ballet-dance are-
jetés,
balances, rondos de jambes, fouettes, cabrioles, pirouettes sur le coude-pied,
sauts de basques, pas de bourrés
, and
entre-chats a quatre, a six
and
a huit.
]
When Ellen was perfected in these portions of her training,
she had to practise the tricks of the stage. At one time she was suspended to
lines of wires; at another she was seated on paste-board clouds; then she
learned to disappear through traps, or to make her exit by a window. Some of
these manoeuvres were of a very dangerous nature; indeed, in some, the