MIND-READING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1421, 20 May 1886, Page 2

MIND-READING

By invitation of Professor Pice, a number of gentlemen met at the Commercial Hotel last evening, for the purpose of practically testing the Professor’s claims and ability as a mind reader. With the ex eption of a “Press" rep roaeutative. the company was composed of strangers to the exponent of the mysterious art ; there wore several professional gentlemen present, and, judging from the conversation which preceded the arrival of the Profi aior, a large majority of the audience was entirely sceptical as to the powersjof the ralnd-roader. The Professor having entertained the company for some minutes with the relation of amusing anecdotes connected with his own eventful life, gave a brief icsuma of his experience as a thought reader. He disclaimed the po session of any supernatural power, but expressed .a belief that he was engaged in the development of a science which would ulti mately prove of incalculable benefit to the human race. He requested one of tho audience to fix his httention upon some artic’o In tho room, and underto k to discover tho object thought of. This experiment was only partially successful, the Professor selecting a similar obj-ot only a few inches removed f-om the one thought of. The next experiment was completely success! J. A. gentleman selected a particular letter printed on a largo placard attached to the wa’l, and Pro feasor Rice discovered the object in a few moments. Several other successful trials followed, and one of the audience, who had previously emphasised his disbelief in the whole affair, offered to make a test, Ho selected a very difficult object, but tho Professor persevered and t lumphed As a medical gentleman present pointed out, tho two instances in which the Pro feasor failed to discover tho objects thought of were really more remarkable than his successes. In one case a woodcut, about tho size of a shilling piece, was ’ thought of. The Professor failed to locate the object, but called for pen and paper, and drew an almost exact represontation of tho cut as it appeared from where the gentleman making the test was seated. On closer examination, it was discovered that the cut bore a somewhat 1 different form to that conceived by tho 1 selector. In the other c tao the marble handle of the door was fixed upon, and after some hesitation, tho Professor ■ selected a marble sash ornament similar ■ in shape to I the handle. Tho Professor i then gavefau exhibition of his marvellous i Hindoo handkerchief trick, which is even more mysterious and as far beyond the ordinary comprehension as the unfathomable mind-reading. The gathering was closed withj the usual compliments, and ! 10 the astonishment of the company, tho genial E’.ofosaor, having disposed of the contents of a pint tumbler, leisurely swallowed tho vsael itself. It may have been another piece of legerdemain; if it were not, tho Professor will have serious trouble with his landlord and his d ! ges tion ; but to all appearance—and the mysterious man was closely watched—the glass followed the samo course as its contents Professor Rice will give a public performance at the Town Hall this evening, and his wonderful entertainment, in which he will be assisted by Vladame Rice, should attract a crowded audience.