New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-26
THE THOUGHT READING WAGER.
From me 81. Jam1s's oa1ette. JUNE Is.

From The ST. James HdZctf June IL.
St James's Hall was filled last night by an
audience invited witness performance OF Mr. Irving
Bishops powers and 10 the outcome OF the challenge
readers" ability to tell the numOer OF concealed bank
under certain conditions. The whole OF the pro
ceeds entertainment 10 DC given 10 the Victoria
Hospital for Children, Chelsea The terms OF the offer
made by Mr. L1pouchere were that ne would pay oyer
$1,000 Mr. Bishop succeeded, on condition that Mr.
Bishop should forfeit Rl0o ~ case OF failure Mr. Bishop
was to guesscs at the number of nOte which
should be Enclosed In an envelope tho number being
TO the person alone In whose hands was placed,
aud Mr.. Firth, NJ. P named by Mr.. LaDouchere "a
the holder. Last night Mr. Bishop began by referring to
this challenge and he suggested That the audlsnce
should nominate committee Tor this occasion. Names
called ont and among those who ascended the plat
form we're Mr. Waidy, q g., NJ T. Mr.. Passmoe Id
Manchester Rife Volunteers, The Rev. II. r. Havels
the Rev DIR. Tremet, Mr. GEORGE LaneFcr and Mr..
Mr. Bishop said he had reserved chairs on the
platform Tor Mr.. Laoouchere and Mr.. Firth; but
neither OF those gentlemen appeared 10 answer HIS III
yitaton them to take those places be should proceed
10 show some experiments illustrating the ease with
which the senses mi gut deceived Some performances
gone through aud then Mr. Bishop returned TO the
subject OF the challenge and read one OF Mr. Labol-
eres published letters In which IL WAS suggested that
she nSG n th NC lie had sent an pScepnce
of the challenge 10 Mr. Labouchree, and had been in
formed by several members OF the Bonse OF Commons
challenge With regard TO Mr. Frths position, he CON
tended nat Mr. Firth mad DOthug To DO Win the eIper
iuent watch was that ne should read the number Of
bankn held by person selected by the audience
In support OF this he quoted from letter In when MI
Tue note should DE a man Of Independence and
of average intelligence Under the circumstances,
Mr. Bishop said he hardly knew iwnat steps 70 take.
Various suggestions were made and, after some discus
sion, Mr. Bishop offered 10 Try hTst 10 discover pin
hidden by gentleman named by the audience. 1r.
George Lauc-FOI was asked 10 put THIS test, anu Mr.
BishOJ, blndfOld and holding hr. Lane-FoT by the
hand, in about minutes found the pin where II
had been placed, in the lining OF an opera nat under
one OF tue stall At this period the tide or feeling
ran high In Mr.. BsnOps favor; but for time II threat
sned 10 Ia opposite direction when he declined,
after much verbiage and qubbling evasion. TO
try and tell the number OF a uye-pound
note watch Mr. Charles Russell, NJ, p. had
placed In envelope, aud committed TO the
custody OF Professor Ray Lancaster IL was understood
challenge that, having former occasonleTper-
mented with Mr. Ray Lancaster, he had found him an
unsuitable aud he does not profess 70 be able 10
equally well with all pors0ns, temperament nav
Waddy, VINO mad bean appointed CHAR
man, had difficulty Ia preserving order,
aud as Mr.. Lancaster did not feel himself
liberty accept conditions save those mentioned tue
high character Mr. Edward StanbOpe yOuchedl supplying
another bank Toe audience cOnsentinR, this note
WAS placed Nj. Naddy IN the hands OF Colonel stat
ham, one OF committee, aud Mr.. Bishop, being blind
stood close beside him. but moving his hand about Tue
arm the subject, down the numbers 6Oo9A he
by OF Mr.. LaOOuehcres challenge 70 nave
two clear grsses he said and he asked n tue number he
Piled that 10 the number O the note placed In hls
hands. There WAS great checring and many cr0Rded
around Mr. Bisnop 10 shake bin 10y inc hand Before
making the trial he had put 300 note into Mr. Wal
dys nand u be given TO the charity n ne rallied. Ee
begged te audience insist that Mr. LaboucherG sh0nd
pay the 4 900 to the Victoria Cndreas Hospital out
side, PIcesdy, several thousand persons lad as
seinbied await the result, and repeatedly cheered
"the American" roaned his recacitraht oppouert,
as a DaiIuoI VITA brilliant wntr light Ia asser
OF the an that Mr. BsoD had virtually won his bet