Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-11-22
Shocks and ventriloquisn,.

CORES ondent 10 tile editor OF the delaware Gazette
Some time SINE, while visit to the interior of
Pennsylvania, in my professional capacity. about
o'clock the stage in which was cnsconsed drove in
to small village-as business was to dctain a
couple of days. | was thinking how to improve the |
of my leisure hours when my attention
was arrested by some very large handbills set
ting forth the merits ofVentrioquism, by T. p Skel
line whom | aseertaned had acquired considerable
celebrity in that science the other was lecture on
Animal Magnetism. by Mr.. M.
About the exhibition hour visited the exhibition
room of Mr. Skelline, but no company having arri
we'd, we adjourned to the of his more successful
rival for stray change and public fame. Upon en-
terng the room we found it literally crowded with
persons of all ages sexes, sizes ond character;
platform erected for the OCCASION Mr.. Shocks was
addressing the audience, expatiating the science
of Mesmerism
After he had concluded committee was appoin-
ted, among whom was the Rev. Mr.. A, pastor
of the village church, and DR.. C.. My compan-
ion remarked to me that he determined to ex
pose the humbug, test its claimes a science
Accordingly, things being arranged, lady was pla-
ced in the operating chair the platform. After
requesting silence, Mr.. Shocks fixed his eyes gazing
intently upon the subject, reminding of the ser
pent charming mother Eve, our old lady mother, and
then commenced his manipulations by moving his
hand up and down her face. He was pretty soon
interrupted by the snarlng and barking of two dogs
Mr. Shocks arose and expostulated with them, for
the denquents had not paid their admission fee, and
negro WIS Ofucfeu 10 eApc1 NuHe0; CUlHIuo
forward exclaimed "Whar is UNI ~ at the same
time fourishing large broomstick, he said, Gus
left me ober dar; I'll cotch um and fetch UNI out de
high grass :; but no quadrupeds Oft nature being
found, order again restored, and MIR. Shocks
kept on moving his arms. My companion remarked
81 fixed them little.'
Soon afterwards Skelline threw his voice so as to
proceed Immediately from the Rev. gentleman, ex-
claiming, $50 it, my boys and don't spare elbow
grease that's the time oday!" All eyes were di-
,l,4
G., who looked daggers at the Rev offender, while
the pastor cast his eyes around in utter amazement.
Significant chances were given by two virg gin maid
ems, whose appearance indicated that they had pass
ed the meridian of their charms, which Skelline OBJ
served, and Immediately cast his voice to them re-
marking:
Bless my soul, it can't be possble--I never tho't
that our Minister drank before
Nor does he,' exclaimed the Rev. MIR. A.
Ladies and gentlemen-this is utterly inexplicabe
to me- as have not said word to be sure, | did
hear something me, but assure you, it not
myself that used the phrase
Our two young ladies were now removed some dis
lance apart each one believing the other to be the
offender by breaking the decorum of the audience.
At last in spite of all interruption, the magnetic
sleep was produced. MIR. Shocks now addressed the
audience and said
" Gentlemen and ladies, you see the effect of Ami
NAL Magnetism in the present-no power or
earth except my own can arouse her from this deer
Sleep
! A variety Of experiments now tried upon the
| subject, when suddenly voice heard in thu
midst of the committee, crying, Mad dog! mac
dog!n
'Bow, WOW, wow" exclaimed Skelne, transfer
ring his voice Immediately under the chair of thu
ragnetsed lady. Quick thought Mr. Shocks an(
the committee sprang from the stage, and a move
ment was visible in the magnetised lady of drawing
tie feet up to the spokes of the chair.
At this moment another tremendous snarlng wa
heard in various directions of the audience. Whicl
caused a general rush for the door, in which on
lubbery fellow trod on the toes of the patient wh
could not suppress loud scream.
Cuff again called to remove the ntruders forth
with. = War is your dogs O. says Cuff, pushing hi
broomsck under the stage; ''Ius left me hear you sa
whar you is and see if don't sweetcn you" No an
swer being made to Cuffs reasonable request he W.,
forced to get under the stage, where while thrusn
and CROPPING his way putting his stick in every di
rectiOn, he was again startled by another snarlin
and barking at his heels :; Look out dar, what yo
is about" hallooed Cuff, making hasty retreat
At this crises another voice was heard at the door
crying out & Ladies and gentlemen, escape if 20
can as the rafters beneath this house are giving
way under the weight of our PRESSURE and we sha
soon have the whole timber down upon us from a
boye.
A general rush was now made for the door A
mong the first was the magnetised lady, followed b
Mr.. Shocks, who, no doubt, had exercised his wi
toward the lady sufficiently to awaken her.
Being jammed out into the midst of the movin
crowd, who were crying, hallooing, and exertin
themselves to obtain egress lost my companion
Finding all amusement for the evening at the end,
retired to my hotel. had not been long seated be
fore in rushed fat jolly landlord, laughing unit
. [ thought his fat sides would burst.
7 "Gentemen,'' said he as soon as he could obtai
f sufficient command over his risbities who do 20
think it that kicked up that all fired rumpus owe
yonder? Why it was that slick little Ventriloquist