New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-24
&" TRILBYr IN COURT.

Readers of Mr. Du Maurers delightful story
Of "'rrilby" are largely inclined. we suppose, TO
regard IT as partly realistic and partly imagi-
native The scenes of student life in the Latin
Quarter Of Paris. and Of town and country HE
in England. are truthful. beyond doubt So Is
the dcllncation of character. throughout IL great
and underwriting range But the hypnotic bust
ness ON which the whole story Is based, Is sure
ly bit Of invention. entertaining, no douD''
but as impossible as any fairy tale. That
Svengali could have placed Trilby under hyp-
motto influence and kept her there year after
year. making her. physically. intellectually ana
morally. the obclicnt servant Of his will. Is
daring and brilliant flight Of fancy, but surely II
IS nothing more No one is ever to take 1t scri-
orsly Thus the average critic. But while the
world is still eagerly reading and discussing
the book, there comes TO hand out OF real lie
a striking analogy to that very feature OF II
which has aroused the critics scepticisn dis-
patch from Munich announces that n profess
sional hypnotist has been convicted OF Offending
public order by practising his spells upon
wealthy woman and compelling her to marry
him while she under hypnotic influence.
There have been various reports OF other similar
dongs but this is probably the first In when
the guilt Of the offender has been so clearly
established by legal process
much more Important end Is served by this
trial and conviction. however, than the mere
Illustration Of the old saying that truth Is
stranger than ficiion-or strange. IL calls
attention to an actual menace to order ana
morals and to the urgent need Of checking IT.
Long ago it was fully demonstrated. in Paris
and elsewhere. that untold potentaties for evil.
as well as for good resided In the practice II
hypnoism. 1t was shown that one person could.
by hypnotic suggestion cause another 10 com
nit forgery. or theft. or murder. Since That
time during the last few years. innumcrablc
public exhibitions Of hypnoiism. more or less re-
pulsivc in character. have been given. and count
less professors" Of the art have sprung up,
Offering 10 practise II upon all corners. ana To
teach IL to all who wish 10 learn II. How many
actual crimes and misdcmcanorS have thus been
committed II il nile Ia speculate: but the find
ing Of the Munich court suggests that they may
be numerous But what is made clear * this.
that the practice ~ hypnotism should be hcdgcd
about with the most scrupulous restrictions the
law can impose. The ordinary practice Of med
Icinc Is regulated by law In all civilized coun-
tries and the mllpract'ioncr is subjected 10
severe penalties. That Is Just and proper. How
much more then should this more subtle. more
potent and. II lll-used. more dangerous prac-
tlce be confined TO proper and legitimate chan
ncls. II may be- as many able scientists have
claimed. that hypnoiism may he the means ~
doing vas, good. We may certainly say the
same Of the administration ~ strychninc, and
morphia and chloral But it Is as reckless and
pcrncIous 10 intrrlst the former as the latter TO
ignorant. dishonest irresponsible practitioners