BERGASSE, Nicolas.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Considérations sur le magnétisme animal, First edition of this guide to mesmerism by the founder of the Société de l'Harmonie Universelle. Bergasse's influence on the movement was such that one member wrote "there are plenty of sympathetic spirits in Paris who would like to 'Bergassize' as much as to 'Mesmerise'" (Darnton, p. 77).Founded in 1781, the Société was intended to promote mesmerism and protect it from academic attacks. It was organized around elaborate ritual and hierarchy, in which Bergasse (1750-1832) was second only to Mesmer himself. Mesmer "spoke mainly through disciples like Bergasse, who preached to the faithful for him and wrote the letters and pamphlets issued in his name" (Darnton, p. 47). Considérations sur le magnétisme animal was derived from Bergasse's lectures to the Société. It functioned as its definitive manifesto, including details of mesmerist theory, techniques, and hints to the occult knowledge that could be obtained through the application of mesmerist 'fluid' to a person's inner self. Bergasse's guide is supplemented with an essay on the relation between mesmerism and the Earth's 'anti-gravitational forces' by François Jean de Beauvoir (1734-1788), a general who served in the American Revolutionary War.Bergasse separated from the Société during the French Revolution to join the Monarchiens faction: "Liberated from the confining organization and dogma of the Society of Harmony, Bergasse developed the social and political aspects of his theory.

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.