National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-08-15

First PatIIc Performance Of Mr.. Brown,
the lows Phenomenon-lIis Successful In
depreciation Of ths Thoughts Of Others-
Finding Articles Hidden Outside the
Room and Other Wonderful Fents.
The wonders performed by the young
Iowan, Brown, since his arrival In Chicago,
besides the natural pleasure which their APP
parcntly almost supernatural qualities pro-
ducc, will prove an Interesting study for our
psychologists, be their peculiar tendency
either materialistic or spiritualistic. Just tho
exact line where the material In man ends
and the spiritual begins is as little known at
the present day as 1t was when the ancients
first began to plague themselves with specu-
latlons on the subject.
That there is something In man which Is not
material hardly any one at tho present day
will deny, but that that something performs
or aids In the performance Of any function,
which Is not essentially spiritual, Is very
doubtful. Year by year ancient dogmas
with regard to the working Of the more inys-
tcrious part Of our being arc dlshonored and
shelycd; the brain has been divided Into
medulle, the peculiar qualities Of Its various
tissues have been duly designated, while,
holder than all, logions OF phrenologists
wander through civilized lands, and, by fcel-
Ing the inequalities or the very worst of
heads, are willing to assign Its owner, on a
written chart, from nifty cents upwards, all
the virtues In the calendar, with one or two
| extras thrown In for charity's cake.
Phrenology Is probably, through Its possess
sing merchantable value, carried too far by
Its impecunious devotees; yet that the work
ing Of the brain Is conducted on o purely ma
terlalistic basis Is nowadays pretty gene.
rally allowed. Mr.. Brown, as indicated by
his mentor In his address to the audience al
the Union Park Congregational church las
night, wisely steers clear Of both these par
tics, and allows those who sec him perform
credit his ability to any agency they have .
mind to, thus showing an impartlality which
does him credit, and adds to the mystery
which lends 30 peculiar an interest 10 hii
which the press unanimously gave of Mr.
Browns success as a mind-reader, 1t Is mo-
surprising that last night the church before
mentioned should contain q very fair au
dience to see his first public exhibition IL
this city. After the playing Of a selection
from GOunods Faust" by the OrgaIfst Of
the church, which was well worth listening
to, Mr.. Kelly the mentor of the young mind
reader, was introduced TO the audience.
| He assured them that the young man hC
was about TO Introduce To their notice wa
neither nccromancer nor Spirltuallst, bu
was gifted with certain peculiar powers
which he would exhibit to the audience. Al
| hlo Nub US
puny fellow, and the discovery Of his power,
was made accidentally some eight years
since, when the casual touching Of his fore.
head by a playfellow caused sparks TO emit
therefrom and sensations to appear which
first led him TO feel that he was able to learn
the thoughts which lie In another brain. He
touched upon electricity, magnetism, the
odillic force, mesmerism, and other hidden
powers, and left the audience to decide OF
what nature the power of the performer
would seem most likely to prove. lie said
that the powers Of Mr. Brown were like thai
OF magnet which he held 10 his hand, in
increased In strength the more they were ex.
ercised, After cautioning persons intending
to ask questions or otherwise test tho powers
Of Mr.. Brown that persons whose left arm
was broken or who were partially intoxicated