The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-07-31
SOCIETY'S SUMMER FAD
Witnessing The Wierd Experiments al
Newport.
Mrs. Paran Stevens Uses the
New Science to Entertain-A
Most Peculiar Evenings
Entertainment.

Mrs. Paran Stevens gave an entertain
ment at her home on Thursday evening
which was the most novel affair OF the
season, says the San Francisco Examiners
New York correspondent.
More than $50 people werc present, in
Guiding the cream OF Newport's literary,
artistic and fashionable circles. The
guests assembled in the large main hall
and reception rooms adjoining. From 10
o'clock to almost midnight Donate, the
noted exponent Of hypnotism, held the
audience Interested and fascinated by his
wonderful power over eight subjects, four
men and four women who accompanied
him.
Many of the guests confess that they
wen TO scoif, but changed their minds
very materially. Many of those present
were actually frightened by some of the
feats, and a few of the ladies sought relief
from the strain by leaving the room at in
tervals. No experiments were made with
the guests, although the professor urged
TO be allowed to show his power in that
way.
One young society man consented, but
speedily begged oil when he felt Profess
sor Donata's cleaning eyes fixed on
his. At the beginning of the evening the
guests were seated in chairs facing the
large hall where Professor Donate aud
his subjects were seen. The professor
promptly disposed of the latter, placing
each in apparently IA deep sleep. Then
calling upon u or two at "A time he
proceeded to astonish the spectators.
woman was placed i'm "A catalogue state
and her rigid body suspended between
two chairs, supported only by the neck
and heels, and a great weight was placed
upon her. All the other subjects laughed,
sung, danced or cried ut the will OF the
professor.
The women were grouped in most pic
turesque attitudes ~ remained for long
periods as unyielding as marble. IL was
impossible to move an arm or head or
hand, or, in fact, any part OF the body.
Several persons in the audience tried IL
aud failed. The guests also amused
themselves i'm trying To rouse the subjects
from their deep slumbers, but could not
succeed.
One of the subjects drank two glasses Of
cod liver oil nde the impression that il
was fine sherry and frank il thoughtfully
and with evident appreciation. Consider
able interest and excitement were caused
by the professors impartial distribution
of his subjects among the He
| hypnotized them, and then allowed them
to wander at will through the different
rooms, where their uncanny appearance
aroused, well, not alarm, but something
akin To il.
The manner i'm which this was dom
was peculiar. The professor places his
fingers very near the subjects eyes and.
with a gesture as IL plucking them from
their sockets, pointed toward a certain
person i'm the room. The subject sprang
forward with distended eyes and arms
cached backward. rushed toward the per
son designated aud transfixcd him with
a glittering eye, until the victim became
nervous and besought assistance of the
professor.
The spell a broken by the professor
breathing upon the eyes of the subjects.
Those who were present declare that
the entertainment was n of the most
weird n fascinating they ever expert
enced. At the same time many say they
would not care to see il repeated, As il was
al intensely trying ordeal. The whole
affair was conducted very quietly, as Mrs,
Stevens was determined that no mention
of il should he made in the