SLOAN'S NEW THEATRE.

Southland Times, Issue 3419, 5 June 1879, Page 2

SLOAN'S NEW THEATRE.

— — — - — « • .' . ' ■ ; A large house assembled at the Theatre last night to witness the opening performance of Professor S. S.and Qlara Baldwin, the exposers of spiritualism. Doubtless the large attendance, was in some measure due to the fact that the public appetite had been whetted by the day's inetyspa'p^er reports, which liad led . themito expect something but of the common. They were not disappointed, as the entertainment throughout was of a most enjoyable character. The Professor opened the proceedings by delivering a racy address. This, and the remarks he let drop at various stages during the evening, sufficed to keep the audi-; ence in a state of continual merriment, and although some of his jokes were exceed-r ingly pointed still they were of that nature which would not offend, and which amused the parties at whom they were aimed,quite as much as they did the other members of the auditory. We yesterday 'described the general appearance of Mr Baldwin. He is a thorough American, and from his manner one would imagine that at one time or another he had been intimately connected with Mark Twain or Artemus Ward,, for his humor was to a great extent typical of that to be found in their works. It' possesses the decided merit of being original, and is altogether free from that vulgarity only too common on the stage. His feats of legerdemain are most astonishing, and appeared to thoroughly mystify the audience. The cabinet seance excited no 'little interest. Mr Baldwin and an assistant were securely tied f by, 'a committee r of gentlemen selected from the audience. Shortly after ,the cabinet "door had, been locked the usual manifestations took place,' bells being rung and tambourines thrown on £he,stege. On ' the doors being opened it was found they were tied securely, and in almost the same manner as originally secured.* Finally they released themselves without any apparent difficulty. Mrs Baldwin was then placed in the cabinet, and went through 'the pilTory trick to the entire satisfaction of those present. The handcuff ( trick was remarkably clever. The professor, * having been securely manacled b,y one of the'police force, wasplaced in the cabinet. In a second or two he was 1 free," while strange to say the handcuffs were found attached to a chair, the handle . of a jug, and a tambourine, the whole of these articles being linked together. After the interval the clairvoyant perf ormance wiss gone through. This, like all the other portions of the entertainment, was of a most extraordinary character. Mrs Baldwin having been placed under mesmeric influence, her husband invited the aiidience to write on pieces of 'paper he bad, banded fa

them: [any questions that might suggest tnemselyes to their mind; In all cases the pieces-? Of paper were retained by the writersj and \yere .seen by, no one else. Whilg'Sn the trancejMvs Baldwin correctly a < ns\?er6^ amumber'ojE; the" questions writ-teri'^in^ucK-to;^th6; s |!u|prise of everybody. anxious to know we^date at which his demise would occur, was informed that he would be murdered InMsSlJeft^Jo^is^ months, and three days hence — a fact which seemed to niifelac^nsiHer^able impression upon him? W>st' astounding feat wasthe answer giyen |p a_welWtnojrn -^aii^iwfli^fe imaker and number: <.p£'i!iis' watch. This .was correctJy given. The concluding part |of 'tßS entertainment 1 was ttie "Katie King Mystery.^^iis;' : usiial, the s ' lady was. tied round the nfeck anfd ; placed> in^the cabinet, 'the rope beitfg "passed througif a 'hole' and ;tie)i ; , ; ori : the' oufeide. 1 'On ■ Beinif 'clbsed 1 / different 'f^ces ':'yrer£[ apparent, arid a ; white figure "emerged from '(the*^ab'iner/' and* walked abou^ ; the ; 'stage/ iringing a bell and blowing a' horn. All ;this time Mrs Baldwin, /to 'all' "appearance, jwas still tied firmly. ; The entertainment '{is. a really firsfc-cla§s ; one", ;' and; :b'ne; that jshould be extensively patronised. We hope