1849 Diary Spiritualist Medium Healed by Magnetism Vermont Sprague

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1849 Diary Spiritualist Medium Healed by Magnetism Vermont Sprague Achsa W Sprague Depressed Dying Jane Eyre This is a great and important 42 page handwritten diary. It was written by Achsa W Sprague in Vermont. Sprague was afflicted with severe arthritis as a young woman and could barely walk on her own until she met a Psychologist who magnetized her over several months and “healed” her. She then went on to become a well-known medium and spiritualist and giving speeches around New England in the 1850s. This diary covers her time struggling with her ailments and her depression along with meeting the Dr and being healed. It goes from 1849 to 1853 and has great content throughout. Here is a sample of what is in the journal: JUNE 1st, 1849-Once more I am unable to walk or do anything else; have not been a step without crutches since Sunday and see no prospect of being any better; see nothing before me but a life of miserable helplessness. Ephraim has come home from Boston very slim; am afraid he will be worse than he has been. 3rd-A miserable day to me at least. E. unable to go to meeting. Nathan about as usual and as for myself, miserable both in mind and body. Wrote "Despair." 4th-Reading Jane Eyre, find it a very interesting work and just fascinating enough to suit me at this time. 6th-E. called in Dr. Spencer of Clarendon to see him today. He thinks he can make him more comfortable. He has also examined my case, and thinks he can cure me. I shall take his medicine but 13th-The Dr. came today. E. not as well as when he came before. The Dr. thinks he has the Consumption and cannot live through the summer. Wrote "Bury me there." 24th-Mrs. Billings died today after a very severe illness. Dr.here. E. about the same. I do not begin to improve any yet and fear I shan't, am not able to sew or write but very little my only amusement being reading and riding horseback. I am thankful I can even have those, and doubly thankful for the ability to enjoy myself in the world of books when the works of action seem shut from me. July 1st-Rode horseback two or three times this week and have also today. My horse is rather contrary, though perfectly fine every other way. Don't begin to improve any yet. The Dr. tells me I must have faith; that he thinks my health is better and that I shall soon begin to walk…Riding horseback yet, enjoy it better than anything else. I can enjoy nothing as I am now. I cannot look back upon the past, for the present seems more gloomy by contrast, neither can I look forward to the future for 'tis shrouded still darker than the present, and I can but shut my eyes to everything in life and try to forget. In vain. Thought after thought of all I wish to be and to do, back again and again, until I forget everything save that which I try to forget-my own misery. 22nd-At last I am here at Dr. Spencer's; came yesterday with William, who has gone to Weston and find I am alive yet. I like it better than I expected. There is a small family consisting of the Dr., his wife and two sons; everything is quiet about, and I like it better. Feel very tired today, fear I have exercised too much. 24th-Not as well, have over exercised, have much more of the bad feeling in the joint. Feel bad enough today, as though I would gladly shut my eyes to everything, and pass away. Wrote "The Last Hope” 25th-Begin to feel a little better, but am afraid it will be a long time before I shall feel as well as I did before. The Dr. has gone over' to see E. today. I feel impatient to have him return and yet I dread to hear. 31st-The Dr. has been to see E. who is not as well. I am almost sorry I left home, but the Dr. says he may be better tl1e next time I hear. Aug. 1st-Rode out today, keep about so. The Dr. says I am better. I shall believe it when I begin to walk. Wish I knew how E. was today. Sept. 6th-E. still more comfortable. I am reading, Lalla Rookh it has beguiled many an otherwise tedious hour. I have read it before but with me it bears reading many times, particularly "The Fire Worshipers." Capt. Pollard very sick, not expected to live... read more

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