The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-09-25
MIND READING.
an EXPLANATION OF HOW 1T IS
ACCOMPLISHED.
1t Does Not Effect the Nervous System
Capacity for Strong Mental Con-
centration Necessary - Ladies
Make Excellent Operators.

II
"The pursuit of mind reading as q
profession" says writer in the Chicago
Herald, "does not effect the nervous
system more than other intellectual call
ing. Although the claims made in cir
culars of prominent mind readers are, In
very large part, exaggerations Of the pos
sibilities of their performances, and, as
such, are probably beyond the power OF
any man to accomplish, nevertheless, the
work may be varied in form as indefinite
ly as the performers brain is fertile ofin-
yention.
ssBefore attempting the performance,
the essential condition should be unmis-
takably impressed upon the minds OF
those who are to take part that the per-
son to be led to the .secreted article must
concentrate the mind upon the place
where the article is hidden until that
place has been reached by the mind
reader, and himself, and then
upon the article itself. This
mental concentration should be required
as constantly as possible to the end. If
the mind-reader fails, from the very
nature of the work, the fault lies with
the subject, for he must succeed If the
subject fairly complies with this single
condition. However, there occasionally
may be found an individual incapable of
prolonged or even brief mental concen-
tration, because of great troubles, loss of
fortune, or ill health and other causes.
Such subjects should always be avoided,
if possible, as the accomplishment of the
trick with them is exceeding improbable,
if not altogether impossible. 1t follows,
then, that the best minds available should
always be chosen. The mind-reader has
then nothing to do but to establish phys
ioel contact between himself and his sub
ject, and after starting a motion of his
body in any direction quietly surrender
himself to the involuntary muscular
leading of his subject, when he will find
himself led unconsciously to the proper
place. Almost any physical contact will
be sufficient, although Browns method
of placing the back of the subjects hand
to bis forehead is probable the best, be.
cause the most impressive.
"When you have the back of the SUBJ
ject's hand to your forehead, start
swaying motion around, and go in the
direction you find it easiest for the sub
ject and yourself to move; 60 and you
will be led to the place. If you lead him
in different direction than the one he Is
thinking of, you will find more resistance
to moving him or his hand. To be
blindfolded is not essential, although
helpful, because it presents the appear.
ance of rendering the work of the mind
reader more difficult, while it really as
sists him in being passive to the leadings
of his subject, as it shuts out from his
mind all exterior directions. The body
of any and every person has always an
inclination, more or less strong, in the dl-
rection of the thoughts of the mind,
more especially so if the body is in mo-
ton. For instance, if you think of an
object on your right, accompanying that
thought will be slight motion of the
body in the same direction. Then place
your mind upon some other object in
the opposite or any other direction, and
over will 60 the body accordingly. The
natural law of mutual dependence be-
tween mind and matter-or habit Of har-
mony of action between the brain and
body, or man or beasts the secret
of the whole mind-reading. 1t
follows that all the mind-reader has
to do Is simply to observe carefully the
action of the muscles of his subjects
hand against his forehead and follow in
the direction indicated by the subjects
muscles and he Will find himself led un-
mistakably toward the place upon which
the subjects mind is concentrated. Hav-
ing reached the place, the mind-reader
will feel around with one hand until the
secreted article is found, and as soon as
his hand touches it-although he has no
previous knowledge of its.nature- he will
recognize it instinctively, for his subject
has unconsciously impaired such informa-
ton by the relaxation of his muscles. As
mind, unlike matter, is indivisible, or in
other words, as it is impossible for a
persons mind to be in two places at the
same time, it is plainly to be seen that if
the subject honestly concentrates his
mind upon the article hidden he cannot
discover the fact that he is leading the
so-called mind-reader, instead of being
led himself. 1t is quite obvious, from
the foregoing explanation, that instead of
the mind-reader being the operator and
leading the subject, as is generally sup
posed, he is himself led by the subject;
hence the mind-reader is the subject and
the subject the operator. To sum it up
in very few words, the mind-reader must
follow the least resistance
sLadies, owing to their delicacy of
touch, make excellent operators. None
of them have become prominent in the
profession in this country, but number
abroad have. In conclusion will give
an instance of how lady betrayed her
<+ion in mind-reading. At picnic,
atteAled by number of good friends,
where all the amusements had been ex-
bausted, I was asked to give test in
mind reading. Selecting lady who, 1
thought, possessed great powers of con-
centrating her mind, I requested her to
think of the one she loved best, and I,
blindfolded, would lead her to him.
She laughingly agreed, and being blind
folded, I commenced my search. She
led me around the circle several times,
leading me each time to person whom
she should have loved the best, but each