Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-20

LILIES LAUGHING GAs.-AmOng the
many public entertainments with which cur
eitizens have been favored during the past
season, we think there were none calculated
to impart so general and unalIOyed satisfac-
tion as the exhibitions given by DR.. ]. H.
Lille. While afording the most innocent
diversion through the agency of bis Laugh
ing Gas, the Doctor presents an equally
novel source of attraction in the wonderful
chemical and philosophical experiments
which form part of his programme.
This happy combination of harmless
amusement with course of profitable in
slruction, is what renders the Doctors levees
so irresistably attractive to all sorts of peo-
pie. Laugh, if you are 0ise," saith the
proverb, and for ourselves, we confess that
we regard that man as a public bencfactor
who aims to contribute TO the happi-
ness of his fellow creatures by fur
nishiug a little wholesome merriment
to relieve the tedium and fill up the vacant
hours of life. We cannot envy that class
Of beings SO devoted to business concerns
that they find no need of relaxation, and
consider the innocent recreations which un-
bend the mind and soften the rigOrs of self
discipline as frivolous and unworthy of their
patronage. To our plain thinking such
pleasures are as essential to true happiness
and eOntentment as the very air we breathe
and talking of the air lOs breathe very nat
urally brings US back from this depression to
the original subject of discourse.
Doubtless very many of our readers are in
total ignorance of the properties of Laughing
Gas, or at least have never witnessed the
mirth- provoking exhibitions to which we
have above referred.
Laughing Gas, then, is chemical cOmbi-
nation of nitrogen and oxygen. 1t has all
the physical properties of common air, and
possesses a sweet taste, and faint but agree
ab lie ordOr. There is not the slightest danger
attending its respiration, and its peculiarly
diverting effects upon the subject are owing
simply to the relative excess of oxygen,
which the more rapidly purifes the blood
than in atmospheric air.
Its effects Of course vary, according to the
temperament of the individual who inhales
it. Thus in certain cases the candidate may
startle the audience with a few bursts of in
voluntary laughter, the sensation Of pleas
ure being so exquisite as to forfeit all self
control. It is these novel developments Of
character which impart to the audience such
pleasing excitement. The professional auc-
tioneer Invariably proceeds to "knock down.
something to the highest bidder, but is happi-
Iy restrained from over-exertion by the rope
work in which be is confined. The audience
are not unfrequently favored with a first class
recitation, or gems Of wit and humor, which
are all the more striking because unexpected.
Robert Southey, the poet, describes bis
own sensations, while under its influence, as
perfectly new and delightful, and said that
for many hours after the experiment he folt
unusually strong and cheerful. Afterwards,
Mr.. Soutbey POLITICALLY remarked that he
supposed the atmosphere of the highest Of all
possible heaUens to be composed of this gas.
Laughing, dancing, singing, oratory, &c,
are among the common effects Of its respira
tion, and the reader may imagine better than
we can describe, the eccentric character of
the exhibition and its irresistible power, as a
fun making, laughter-provoking Instrument
slity.
We have said that its results are harmless,
and We might have added that in many cases
it has been successfully used as a remedial
agent in cases of long standing disease. But
Whatever may be sald OF It's health- giving
properties, We can safely affirm that nothing
has ever been introduced in the way of pop
ular entertainment, so, we'll calculated TO
drive away ennui and the blues, and place
every spectator on good terms with himself
and the rest of mankind.
The remaining portion of the entertain
ment also merits notice. DR.. Lille is pFsc
teal chemist, and greatly enhances the vSlue
of his exhibitions by diseoursinR on his favor
ite themes. His chemical and philosophical
experiments embody very interesting varie-
tyy and are alone worth the small price of ad-
mission. For-particulars Of the exhibition,
the reader will zee programme. Our news
paper exchanges are unanimous in praising
the Doctors exhibitions, and we bespeak for
him the same cordial reception here which
has characterised his advent in other sec
tiops