New-York tribune., 1889-12-23
MESMERISM IN THE ORIENT.
Kellar, in The st. Louis Republic.

Kear, in The st. Louis Republic.
There ten years ago, and presume are now, In
india, mesmerists whose performances transcend IN
wonder the combined efforts of such of their Christian
rivals as l have ever seen. Let me describe one
performance.
IL was in Secunderabad in 1873, and 1t took place
in the broad corridor of the palace OF Saler jung the
Nyzam. was one of party of Engishmen. among
whom DR.. Crawford, surgeon OF the British army
and Mr.. John Hodgldns, formerly an officer In Her
Majesy's LancAs but at that time in the employ of
English banking and mercantile firm in Hong Kong
We in the front ranks of the spectators nearly
all OF whom were Europeans. After we had waited a
pressively hot, the fakirs made their appearance.
There were eight In the party. An old man with
aquiline features pariarchal white beard and pair
of flashing black eyes was the leader. His wife. a
pretty little woman. young enough 10 be his daughter
was his chief assistant, and the six remaining men
had heard much about the wonderful performances
Of this particular band of alirs. all tnerant per-
ceived the invitation of the palace authorities was
delighted accept it. But must admit that all the
praise had heard seemed faint and cold after had
all that was TO be Seon. 1t was, taking t all In
all the most wonderful performance of the sort any
Of our party had ever witnessed.
After the fakrs arrived they proceeded at once to
business. The old bound bsndage tightly
a small wedgeshaped piece of pLth under the cloth
and directly between the eyes. Then he handed him
small round mirror, telling him to place it in his
hand and gaze upon II intently. This the young
did. Meanwhile the other fakrs made circle par
tally around him. dronng monotonous chant that
ran something as follows:
Ram, ram, amaram, amaram. ram.
ATnaram, amaraln, amaram, ram.
This was repeated over and over again in singing
tones, resembling the distant hum of hive OF bees,
and when the chant was ended We were nearly as
drowsy as the poor subject was.
Directly the song finished, we started from our
ethargy and brought our tagging to bear upon
the victim OF this remarkable incantaton. He was
ylng on the parlor floor to all appearances dead His
race was OF the CHASTITY pallOr of the tomb His arms.
legs and fingers were as though they had been sud-
denly turned to ice. His blood seemed 10 have been
i9zen on day when we living spectators were almost
We felt his fingers. They were as rigid IS though
modelled from marble. DR.. Crawford raised his eye
iAN The pupil had been upturncd and nothing but
the white was visible. The doctor examined his
heart and felt his pulse. Ills blood had stopped now
Ing through his yeins. To make the test even more
complete the doctor stopped his nostrils his ewes and
MS ears and mouth with thick putty like paste, that
made breathing an impossibility. In every previous
mesmeric or hypnotic experiment had witnessed the
subject always breathed.
Now came some further tests and cruel ones they
Wer', too Large bodkirs were thrust cntirey through
The palm Of his hard and he moved a muscle.
Neither did single drop OF blood follow the with
drawal of the steel. This prodding was repeated
upon his cheeks. his finger points, bis thighs and
arms. with precisely the same results Then the
Old man took a glowing coal of burning charcoal
S MS pot and paGed Ssnd op the Dr prnsd palm Of
smoked, then slzzed and the corridor became per.
mcateh with the odor of burning human flesh. stll
the old man to remove the coal for fear that il might
do me Young man some permanent injury.
care The physcian made every effort ''S Known 10
medical science to resuscae m but all for naught.
Atter he had been this trance for nearly an hour
his body with his arms and leaned back TO watch
The result shiver passed over the subjects form,
and grim smile OF triumph curled the corners OF
the old mans mouth. We gathered around the pros
ssanv ssar. and felt faint ssa fOrtpTs such Gcrrbl.
human beings face. His features We're swistei
and distorted out by all human resemblance. His