STORY OF MESMERIC INFLUENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1190, 19 September 1874, Page 20

STORY OF MESMERIC INFLUENCE.

A Massachusetts paper has the hardihood to publish as a matter of fact the following story of a Professor Crawford, a mesmerist : — He selected two female subjects at his performance on Tuesday evening, whom he obtained permission to influence in any reasonable and proper manner, and to keep one of them, who worked in the mill, but half a day for a mesmeric demonstration not specified then. While under his influence that evening he made them believe that they were picking grapes, and after they had finished picking an imaginary large quantity, he handed each of them a slip of paper, one of which, he said, was a cheque for 30 dols., and the other for 25 dols. He told them to go to the First National Bank at half-past ten o'clock yesterday forenoon and get the money on the cheques ; but that if the cashier refused to honour the cheques, to present them to Mayor Jewett, and he would pay the amount named on them. After these instructions were given them, their minds were immediately directed to another subjeot, and mesmeric influence was then thrown off. And now to the sequel of the affair. The two subjects, according to their husbands, were apparent, ly as much uninfluenced as ever up to about ten o'clock yesterday forenoon, when a change was perceptible. One of them called at the residence of the other, and the two passed out. The husband of one followed them, and they went to the First National Bank. Mr. Allen, the cashier, had previously been informed by Prof. Oaldwell of the prospective visit, and the former was prepared to receive them. They presented their bits of paper and demanded the money on them. Mr. Allen said that he had no money to answer the cheques, when they responded substantially that it must be a poor bank that couldn't pay cheques to the amount of 55 dola. They then went out, and up to the Mayor'ts office, going immediately in and presenting the cheques to the Maj or, who was not in the secret, and who at first was jjuifce indignant at phe iwpm®tiY() nwnner

in which they demanded 55 dols. on the bits of paper in their hands. They were anything but complimentary to the Mayor in their remarks, when he said that he could not see that the bits of paper were cheques, and one of them put her spectacles over his nose, then asking him if he could see. Professor Caldwell put his head in at the Mayor's office door, as that offioial was ordering them out, to avoid an arrest, and the fact that the two women were under mesmeric influence was then made apparent to His Honour. By this time Dr. J. C. Ayer and several city officials entered the room, ami several experiments wore made showing that the sub jeets were completely under mesmeric influence. They could not see Professor Caldwell, or feel his pulling of their ears, but when Dr. Ayer pulled these organs they were immediately cognisant of the fact, and scolded him emphatically fur the liberties taken. In a few minutes afterwards Professor Caldwell snapped his forefinger and thumb, at the same time saying — ".'ill right," and the influence passed oft". They instantly sank down upon the sofa in the room, one of them crying bitterly at first, and both evidently being much ashamed.