The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-07-18

er part of this performance could be re-
produced by the very simplest means,
the personal experiences of many individ-
uals were carefully compared. This COM
parlson most clearly revealed the fact
that each had been affected in accord with
his preconeeived ideas; that each ones
experience had been just what he had
believed 1t would be. For example, | was
one of the few who had felt no electric
shocks" Being the only one who thought
of any form of muscular paralysis, l
alone discovered it.
But so real had these experiences been
, that the simple theory taht they were
| from no influence save our own beliefs
meets with but little favor. 1t was gen.
orally that such simple methods of per-
forming the various feats would not have
escaped detection, and that mere beliefs
would never give rise to such phenomena.
determined to make an experiment that
/ would be conclusive. This was nothing
more nor less than to determine whether
or not l could repeat the feats without
being detected; and most of all, to de-
termine whether or not l could obtain es-
sentlally the same hypnotic effects. The
first favorable opportunity presented was
an invitation to deliver lecture at Lam
pasas. In accepting this invitation, l
cult Science" and requested that it be
made known that | would repat the cele-
brated performances of Phyllis Bently
and Annie Abbott, and would at the close
fasten boy to the floor by hidden pow
err that would defy every attempt to lift
him.
Some to whom my purpose was known
feared that the attempt would end in fail
ure and utter discontinue. For it was
well known to them that l had never at
tempted an experiment in hypnotism.
Furthermore it was believed that the
agencies upon which relied were so sim
pie as to make it highly improbable that
any one would be deceived thereby. and
that the proposed results had never been
ascrlbed to such agencies by any investi-
gator of hypnotism. To pose as an ex-
hrbitor OF curious arts was but little to
my taste; but | believed it to be indis-
pensable to the solution of the problem
IN winch L was deeply interested. Ac-
cordlng to my theory, the one thing need
ed on my part was audacity, it being be-
lleved that others could be found who
would contribute the remaining essentials.
1t was deemed necessary that first of
all the audience should be aroused to a
nigh state of expectancy. With this end
IN view began by refer
ring to the prevalence of the
belief that certain favored individuals
possessed unique psychic powers by virtue
or which they are enabled to accomplish
things wonderful and mysterious to others,
and which they themselves can not salts
tactorily explain. As advocates of this
belief L cited a list of names eminent in
literature and science. ! then referred ia
the estimate that Mr.. Stead had placed
upon the value of the performances given
by Phyllis Bantley, and also mentioned
the notice that Annie Abbott had attract
ed in Europe. | then stated that after
many experiments l had discOv ered that
it was possible for me to reproduce these
performances. As soon as committee
had been appointed to Investigate my
power" | presented a chair to one with
the announcement that by simply holding
my hand against its back [ would prevent
him from putting it to the floor. | knew
that he could not do so under the cOndi-
tions, and was quite uneasy lest he should
detect that it was a mechanical impOs-
sibility. For in reality it was nothing
more than asking him to grasp lever at
it's fulcrum and thereby prevent me from
turning it when he attempted to carry it
to the floor. The experiment had often
been tried in private. and in no instance
had it's real nature been misunderstood.
Not from any lack of sagacity or common
sense, but solely by reason of the excite