Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-08
A SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENT.


only that, but Spencer's aunt, who kept house
for him, had been kind enough to ask Amy Du-
rant, Toms finance. to come as well. Tom had
but few opportunities Of meeting Amy, 80 he
naturally was glad of this one, especially-but
the reason why will soon be manifested.
However, for some reason or other he did
not greatly enjoy himself. Miss Spencer, hay
ing taken the somewhat bold STEP for her, Of
inviting the lovers to her house. did not see fit
to leave them alone for an instant.
Jack Spencer scarcely saw the fun Of having
Tom up to spend an evening trying to be alone
with Miss Durant: so. after an hours insipid
music. and more insipid conversation, he drew
Tom out OF the room on very weak preteXt,
and dragged him off to his den.
Look here, Tom. I've had enough Of that
cackle. Come and have smoke"
~ don't care If do; but I'm afraid Amy won't
halt like my leaving her."
''Quite a mistake; don't f'atter yourself 80
grossly Besides. you'll see plenty Of her when
you're married. She'll get on very well with my
aunt now they're alone, and it strikes me you
weren't getting on very brilliantly. Now
what's your particular weakness-Scotch or
Irish please"
'Ah, thought go"
Scotch"
Yes. know" replied Spencer. without vol
teeTiNS any Iurtner information.
In a few minutes they had put on easy jack
cts, mixed their whisky and water. and settled
down in easy chairs.
Now" said Spencer, 'what will you
smoker
I've some rather good cigars" was wilkin-
sons reply, 'let me offer you One'
He put his hand in his pocket.
"Confound 1t" he-exclaimed, 81 must have
left my case in my great coat"
Never mind. old man, try this pipe; it's a
beauty; got it from an American, whose leg
helped cut off for him at the hospital"
Wilkinson took it, thinking at the same time
the recommendation was strange one.
What jolly den you haye" he said, as he
lit up.
Not so bad. Don't let my aunt hear you call
1t a den though; it's study"
Wilkinson laughed.
"By JOve, though, Tom. do study now, and
no mistake. I'm one of the coming men, can
tell you: I'm going in for medicine on new
theory"
And how about your practice while you are
perfecting your theory
''Oh! my aunt will buy me a practice fast
enough. Yes. my boy, I'm going to revolu-
tOnize medicine. No more doctoring up a
mans body; that's vast mistake"
what are you going to do them"
"DOctor up his mind"
Wilkinson smiled: he did not quite see what
his friend was driving at. However. he had
considerable interest in science, and still more in
Jack Spencer's progress, so he asked to be
further enlightened.
There was nothing that Spencer wanted so
much as an appreciative listener. He launched
out under full sail
Its perfect mystery to me. Tom, and to
few other men. why such marvellous phenomena
az we hear of occasionally in the domain of
electro biology. as it's called, obtain so little
scientific attention"
There's such lot of humbug connected with
it,, suggested Wilkinson.
"Of course there is, but it has a sound basis
OF fact. The science is in its infancy as yet but
IL must grow. 1t Is known fact that one mind
can Influence another even at q distance is it
not ~
Il once saw mesmerst. and certainly he
seemed able to do anything, but thought he
was only con- urer."
Empirical generalization, unworthy Of you,"
remarked Spencer. II won't quote cases.
though might do so for week, but Just look
at those books. they are full of well-authenti-
Gated. scientifically conducted experiments
He took down from a shelf Darwin's
''Zoonomia,' Macnish's PHILOSOPHY of Sleep"
and several volumes ofthe REVUE Scientifiuue."
Now" continued Spencer. lit is proved
that the mesmeriZer can control the will, the
actions. even the belief OF his subjects: if he
gives him draught of water he can make him
believe it is champagne: if he gives him an
rose"
Have you seen these experiments" asked
Wilkinson
seen themi Why, I've made them"
Wilkinson looked up ast0nished.
Yes, said Spencer. that's why feel such
an Interest in this business. l possess the
power OF meSmerizng TO q considerable degree
and cultivate it every chance get. Have a
little more whisky"
Thanks. will"
''Of course you will" replied Spencer with
satisfied smile. II decided that while we were
talking. Influence of one mind over another.
you see"
Wilkinson made a hasty exclamation. He
was rather ayerse to being experimental on in
this way.
How is all this going to belp Won in doctor
ing:" he asked.
simply enough. Induce state of trance:
give your patient some water; make him believe
it is the medicine he requires and it will have
the same effect. Or if an operation is required
you can perform it during the trance. as he Is
quite insensible to pain"
But can you always induce this trance?"
Ihat weak point. but in time We shall get
over that. ! can influence four people out of
i've Miss Durant, foT instance, would be very
good subject"
Wilkinson sat silently smoking for a few min
utes. Apparently the mention OF Amy's name
had turned his thoughts into another channel.
He half wished he were back in the room
where she was sitting. Then he thought of
recent events, and determined that he Wonld
The two friends We're soon in the midst of an
animated discussion of their former subject
Spencer told OF various curious experiments in
which the operator had questioned his victim
on all sorts of subjects, obtaining replies to
everything, even when the question was one
which he would not have wished to reply to il
conscious.
MS made Wilkinson remark that the possess
sion OF this mesmeric gilt placed a vast power In
the hands of the operator
Yes it undoubtedly does. Fortunately
scientific men are the last in the world to take
oft for private ends"
Wilkinson looked at his friend.
Ibid you ever try it from personal mOtiyes?"
Spencer looked as if he wished the question
had not been asked.
IL don't mind telling you, Toni did once.
You remember Nellie Fletcher"
Yes: thought you liked her at one time"
$50 did. but l wanted to know if she liked
me. l put her into trance, with her consent.
and made her an offer She refused me-
Didn't she remember anything about it after
ward:'
Not an atom. The best Of it is that the sub
lect can't help answering absolutely truly unin-
nuenced 10y etiquette or anything of that sort.
GU re q lucky fellow. TOI. TO have been safe
in proposing to Miss Durant without having to
experiment first"
Yes" was Toms aconic reply.
NO doubt about her liking y0u3"
II hope not. as we are engaged"
l Oh re lucky dog; she's charming girl"
WILKINSON naturally assented, but did not feel
altogether pleased when Spencer began praising
Hiss Durant somewhat enthusiastically
he felt still less so when Spencer ended by