LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1745, 26 July 1862, Page 3

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Lecture on Curative Mesmerism. — The third lecture of the series on this subject, was delivered by Captain Wilson in the Odd Fellows Hail ou Monday evening. The attendance as usual was large, the Hall being comfortably filled, while in addition to a large proportion of the elite of Wellington, his Excellency Sir George Grey, Mr. and Mrs. Layard and other members of bis suite, were amongst the audience. After a brief introduction from the Chairman, the lecturer proceeded to say that ou former evenings be bad descanted on the leading features of the science of Electro- Biology, but on this occasion he would confine himself to that branch of bis subject, which treated of Mesmerism as a curative power. The first definition then, from which he would start was this viz: — *' That Mesmerism by commanding the nervous system, can regulate the organic functions," and that being premised it followed that the action of the power in question was universal. The primary cause of all diseases, was a deficient supply, general or local of the nervous energy, by which the organism performed its health werk, and the power of Mesmerism could be exerted to induce a sufficient flow of that curative brain force, to any organ which for want of it bad been unable to perform its functions. Its action in that way he repeated was universal, so that instead of applying a variety of drugs, each with a specific action ; it was only requisite to employ one force, to effeai the same sanative purpose in a more complete manner. In other words all the curative actions which were effected by drugs could be effected by the Mesmeric process. It could be applied so as to iucrease or diminish the action of the heart, to excite vomiting, purging as well as other effects. While however tins brain force, had power to re-adjust functional abberations of the system it could not cure disease where considerable change of structure bad taken place, and thus the action of Mes. raerism in such cases, in directing that force, could only have a paitial effect. To that extent however it would be productive of great good, and if it couid not cure, it could at least, alleviate, soothe, and strengthen, without exciting a disturbing reactiou. The lecturer quoted largely from several authorities ou this subject, in support of those view?, and after combating the notion, that Mesmerism properly applied was at all dangerous, next alluded to the Mesmeric sleep. In the opinion of all who had experienced it, it was the sweetest of slumbers, the restorative reality of wbicb Shakespeare said : — 11 The innocent sleep ; Sleeb, that knits up the ravelled sleove of oare, The death of each days life, sore labour's bath, j Bftlm of hurtminda.greatnatureaaecondoourge, Chief nourisher ia life's feast." Having thus explained the theory involved in the curative action of Mesmerism, he proceeded to allude to his own exertions in tesiiug its results in practice. He had been stigmatised as a "Humbug," but so long as he could point to numerous cases where he had happily either cured or alleviated suffering, he was content to appeal for justice to a public tribunal. After citing many successful cases of treatment, he said that those of his audience, who wished that night to become the subjects of experiment would requite to concentrate their whole attention in following out his instructions, and on the part of the spectators he would expect the moat perfect quietude during his mani*

pulations. He then concluded by thanking his bearers for the cordial reception they had afforded him and stated thathis fourth and last lecture on the following Monday, would be on "ClairToyance." The lecturer amidst much applause now retired for a short interval, and on his return the usual number of subjects presented themselves for induction. As we have before minutely described the modus opegandi, of the process, it is only necessary to add that all the usual demonstrations of the Mesmeric Power were given withperfeet success. In one case he affected the organ of hearing, in another that of sight ; made one subject, take Salt for Sugar, and vice versa. As a specimen of absolute power tbe performance was astonishing, once he asked a boy to pick up a handkerchief from the floor and while the little fellow was stooping to do so, a pass of the operators arm transfixed him like a j statue with outstretched fingers witbin an inch of it. Another boy was then told to pull the first mentioned up, which he attempted to do, when quick as thought another magic wave of the hand was given, and in an instant as if struck with an electric shock tbey were both dashed with a sudden crash, prostrate on the stage. A third subject, after a glass of water which he greedily supried with a spoon, showed all the symptoms of intoxication, while a host of the rest in their endeavours to jump over a stick laid on the ground were one after another bowled down like nine pi us. Verily if those fact^ be proofs, and as such the most sceptical must consider them, then the theory, " that Mesmerism by camrnanding the Nervous System, can regulate all the organic functions, " is fairly established. Speech, Sight, Hearing and Feeling, one and all succumbed to the mysterious influence. Except from their expressions of delight we cannot realize what were the feelings of the numerous spectators, but for our own part we exclaim with the illustrious Bard :— "Can such thiags be, And overcome us like a Summer cloud, Without our special wonder." Official Depabtube. — Amongst the passengengers per s.s. Queen, on Wednesday last, was E. L. Layard, Esq., late Private Secretary to His Excellency Sir George Grey. Mr. and / Mrs. Layard, we understand, proceed to the Cape via Auckland, where Mr. L. intends to resume the official situation, from which he had 1 a temporary leare of absence. " j' New Building Sites. — We understand that \ ten Building Sections situated between Harbour Street and Custom House Quay, will shortly be exposed for sale. The Sections in question, are in a very favourable position for business purposes, have each a 30 feet frontage, uud was recently carefully marked off by tbe Governmeut Surveyor. Koyai. Lyceum Theatbe. — We are glad to learn that Mrs. Foley has almost recovered from the effects of her late severe accident, so that in all probability this pretty little Theatre will shortly be re- opened and we hear that several new and attractive pieces are in active rehearsal. Tbe Management have taken advantage of the short recess to redecorate and improve tbe Theatre, and Mr. Marriott is now busily engaged in painting new scenery, for the reopening which will we doubt not, be shortly announced. Lecture on Claibvoyance. — The fourth Lecture of the course on Mesmerism will be delivered by Captain Wilson in the Odd Fellows' Hall on Monday evening, when the subject of " Clairvoyance " will be expatiated on. As Captain Wilson does not intend for the present to repeat the series of which this is positively the final one, it is to be hoped that in this instauce, as heretofore, he will have a numerous and appreciative audience.