The Washington herald., 1906-12-23

as she sang. endeavored to assist her by
mental suggestion. Several Of Miss Muir
rays friends who were present were con-
fdent that this mysterious power was ef-
fective and that Miss Murray had never
before sung so we'll incidentally Miss
Murray is fearful that her voice may
leave her as suddenly and mysteTiously
as it came. DR.. Gayer believes that by
hypnouzing Miss Murray. who is a hyp-
motto subject. be can viii that the voice
shall be permanent. The Triiby Of the
story book therefore has become a rea,-
ity.
The recital given by Miss Murray I'm
Or. Gsyer's Office was naturally q very
extraordinary proceeding. The company
assembled was one of unusual intelli-
gence- The names Of several Of the ply
sicians present are well known in the
world of medicine. Il might be called a
sympathetic audience, but one whose in
teIligence would scarcely be influenced by
anything less than an actual demonstra-
. ton Miss Murray was introduced She
Is an attractive young woman whose
manner and even whose speaking voice
gave no suggestion Of her vocal ability.
There was "a general discussion of the
voice and the mysterious manner IN
which she acquired it. Miss Murray had
no theory % suggest
NO one has been more surprised than
myself SAID she Il enjoy my voice,
/ perhaps, more than any one. / play with
/ IL like a toy. and my only fear is that
/ il viii be taken from me-"
To make the illusion more complete this
/ very critical audience left Miss Murray
10 sing alone IN the music room. The
curtain was drawn. There was a brief
/ accompaniment on the piano and this
| extraordinary voice took up the song Ii
! is no eXagseration to say that those who
/ had not before heard her on listening
/ 10 her first note actually jumped As
/ the song continued the voice seemed To
| take possession Of every one present, and
/ when the song came 10 an end there was
a complete silence which was far more
| eloquent in It's way than an applause.
Quality OF Her Voice.
/ Miss Murrays singing voice is a basso
/ profundo of extraordinary range, power,
and timber. 1t is no exaggeration to say
and several of those present We're well
/ qualified to judge-that the voice has no
| superior. perhaps no equal, on the oper.
| attic stage to-day. The somewhat frau
/ form and rather narrow chest gives GU,
/ notes which would really drown many az
| orchestra, II would be compelling, for in
/ stance, even when heard in connection
with a large chorus, say, at the Metro
politsn Opera House. 1t is Of a quality
which would readily dominate a large
! gathering Of singers.
! The scene in Or. Gayers Office duTiug
! the songs, in very large measure. re-
/ produced d famous drawing Of Du Mau
rier. Miss Murray presided at the plan
and played her own accompaniment; DI.
/ Gayer stood before her, slightly TO ont
/ side, with appraised hand, concentrating
| all the forces Of his mind upon the mini
] Of the singer.
Miss Murray, who, the doctor discov-
] cred. was a hypnotic subject. sang with
/ her eyes directed at the doctor. TheTt
were several songs, ranging from familiar
| lullabies TO grand opera selections. Mis-
/ Murray's voice, it was said by heI
/ friends, took on new power, and many
| Of those present attributed this to the
| power of mental suggestion.
| Between the songs the audience turned
| to Dr. Gayer for an explanation. The
doctor was confident that this solution OF
/ the problem was the only possible one.
! Miss Murray" he said, merely
| reached seIf-conscious condition when
it became possible for her to accomplish
almost anything by willing it. In this
| condition she could accomplish anything.