The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-05-23
NOTES OF THE WEEK.

satlsiac'oTy-bOth amusing and ustructiVe-tha
those given by Prof. Bushell, during his short sta,
IN Honolulu, while ON his way from Australia 10 SaI
Francisco. The ship Lconiam, in which he was
passenger, remained in port but four or five days
allowing him 10 give only three exhibitions. whicl
consisted Of experiments with Electricity and Mag
netism-suhjects concerning which there are nor,
ignorance and creiuliiy than on any other science
The lectures embraced a familiar explanation Of tn,
various applications Of electricity to science, Of tn,
theory Of spiri, rnpping, explaining the cause auG
mode Of producing them, and finally illustrating til,
science Of electro-biology, or mesmcrism, as it Is more
popularity known. After witnessing the experiments
OF Prof Bushell, we are constrained to say that they
are really wonderful,-that is, that the power which
one will can exercise over another in the mesmeric
state Is almost Incredible; aud so aptly does the lee
turer explain the why and wherefore Of each expert
meut, that one cannot listen to it without becoming
wiser than he was before. After the frs; perform
ance on Saturday night, there was much doubt re-
spectiug the reality Of his power over his subjects,
most Of whom we're strangers here, and the audience
wen; away mostly believing there was some " hum
bugging, some completely between the subject and
the lecturer.
On the second evening, three kanakas and several
well known foreign residents were experimental on
with the most astonishing results. One of the kama
kas, in particular, underworld with all his might, TO
thwart the Professors mesmeric power over him, and
though in some instances he succeeded in defeating
him, Yet the lecturer finally brought the native
under his control, although he labored under the
disadvantage Of not being able to converse with his
subject. Never lid Rarey more successfully conquer
and tame his widest horses, than did Prot. Bushell
bring the kanaka boy under his influence, opposed
from beginning to end, as he was, by the most deter
mined stubbornness that the boy could exercise. On
this occasion, Cthe second night,) the house was filled
with n crowd of rnbelievcrs in mesmerism, but at the
close of the lecture, probably there was not one I'M
converted m.n in the audience-so convincing were
the experiments made in Electro Biology.
Tie Ionium cleared TO sail on the DIST, but at
the special request Of the King, her sailing was de-
layed till the 22d, to allow their Majesties to witness
the exhibition. On Tuesday evening Prof Bushell
was honored with the presence Of the King and
Queen, together with Lady Franklin and her niece,
and the house WAS crowded TO OVERCOMING, with ladies
and gentlemen. On this, as on the two previous
evenings, the most amusing and singular expert
ments in Electro-Biology were repeated, and the sub
jects being well known residents, the experiments
were even more satisfactory than on previous occa-
sions, and there was no room to doubt that what the
lecturer claimed for mesmerism, was fulfilled. Two
Of the subjects brought forward to be operated on,
refused to Weld to the mesmeric influence of the
lecturer, which, if it demonstrated anything, showed
that without full acquicscence, no person can he
operated on, or in other words, the subject must be
willing to come under the mesmeric influence before
his will can be controlled. Once completely under
his influence. the lecturer claims that "a subject is
wholly at his command, and nothing t~ranspirei to
c%ontrovert that position, but every thing sustained il.
W.. ,,-. nm, ,x.r,r. Fr,,, o,,o - 49,, H.l.~t T 49,,
papers regarding the Professors entertainments, and
only wish his stay here could have been long enough
TO have allowed every one an opportunity to witness
really instructive and scientific lectures.
PROFESSOR BusuELL's ESTERTAIyMENT-Ifit we're
not that the world had become gradually accustomed
to some OF the mgrvelS Of Nlesmeric science, we 10
not know what would be the public impression pro-
ducel by such an exhibition of the power OF q single
strong viii over the emotions, the vOlition, and the
muscular action Of others, as that displayed by Pro
Bushcll, III what may certainly be described
as one of the most extraordinary exhibitions ever wit
messed on "a stage. The first hour Of his entertain
ment Mr.. Bushell devotes TO IAN experimental iiustra-
Of the principal phenomena OF Noltaic electricity
by means Of powerful batteries its iilu-
ninating and fuSing powers, its magnetic and mag
netizing properties, and the ingenious method in
its currents are made use of for Geographic
purposes. The most remarkable, perhaps, though
the most striking Of the Professors experiments
was the ignition of the wick IF u spirit lamp by the
neat obtalnc1 from q very powerful COLI
battery. The moiuS Op r1aii Of the electric toie-
(the double dial Indicator SYSTEM was in
shown, and a very good idea OF the frau
iuient application Of science tC purposes Of ImpOsture,
10y means If the electrical table and bell,
which gave responses after the most approved method
f spIrit-rapping. But, however interesting these
Illustrations Of physical science were, they were
greatly surpassed IN that respect by the surprising
Of the phenomena of electro-biolugy, with
which the entertainment concluded. Few Of the
ordinary phenomena Of mesmerism, OF animal mag
Ietism, are unfamiliar TO " but there Is a speciality
Of degree and If kind about Professor Bushels
experiments thatt fairly took Us by surprise, whilst
he mauipulations by which he establishes his in
iuence over his subjects are 80 uudemonstratlve,
md their - susceptibility - Is so little anticipated
any previous signs by the spectator, that the
uileu transition from q state of curious but almost
Indifferent uubelief 10 absolute establishment is singu-
apparent all over the house. These experiments
electrO-Uiology differ In one important particular
the phenomena Of mesmerIsm. Throughout
ne subject remains in full possession Of his conscious
This Is the case even when the limbs are re-
uced to "a perfect state Of cataiepsy or rlgldlty.
Whatever he is made to DO he is fully alive TO, and
As even a full perception Of It's general absurdIty.
Iut resistance Is out Of the question. by some mys-
erious power, exerted through mere contact with the
aim Of his hand, he Is made TO follow the Professor
I his pleasure, and yield to him absolutely the con-
rol over his limbs and even MS sensations. Rightly,
zeal or general the most grctesque attitudes and
.ctious, are commanded at will, A limb Is immova-
ly fastened to the stage by a mere wave Of 4 hand a;
al lengths are measured on the floor men are set
TO DO the most grotesque things muscular ac-
can accOmUlish-eyen the sensation Of taste and
he faculty of memory are held under control by Mr..
ushell's extraordinary influence over his patients
f whatever kind it j.. We DO not pretend to fathom
he secret, but recommend all the curious and cum
ing 20 70 and see for themselves. We promise them
o small amount Of establishment as they look on,
nj q wonder for hem to talk about for a month to
me. - S
Darkness AHEAD.-The gas man has been about
le town, positively notifying the public that there
i'll be an eclipse Of the gas works. 10 occur on sun
" evening next. from and after which day or night,
A. in Honolulu Is to be among the things that were. I
ell, if it don't pay 10 manufacture the article, its 4
DnSolation 10 know that there is an abundance Of
! in the place to prevent an Egyptian plague pre- ,
liling in Honolulu. Bat really, is there no way
at gas-ight can be sustained We mean clear gas,
II such smoky stuff as been palmei of as gas Of