THE FAKIR OF OOLU.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1698, 28 July 1875, Page 4

THE FAKIR OF OOLU.

On Saturday next, Dr. Silvester, universally known as the great Tbanmaturgist and worldrenowned mesmerist, willmakohis Qrstappearsnee in Auckland at the Prince of Wales Theatre, in his original and novel entertainment, which was the means of attracting hundreds of listeners at the Egyptian Hall night after night, in the Bummer of 1873. The Fakir of Oolu, as the Doctor is called, performed for two thousand nights in the Egyptian Hall, and subsequently passed over the Australian colonies, "where he drew immense crowds at St. George's Hall, and the Theatre Eoyal, Melbourne. The. ■notices of the Doctor's performances, not only by the leading journals of London, but of Australia, are most flattering, and no doubt from the character of the journal, are faithful criticisms. The Times, which has no need to pander to a degraded taste, eulogises Dr. Silvester as " a man of few ■words and marvellous deeds ;" and the Illustrated London Sews says " his performances are not only extraordinary but pleasing from beginning to end." A brief description from the 'Evening Herald will convey some idea of the Dature of the entertainment :— **• The Fakir floated the ' Entranced Girl' in the air unsupported. After putting her through various poses in an entranced slate, during which her elbow only is resting on a silver rod, and no other portion of her body is in contact with the floor, or anything else visible, the Fakir places her in a horizontal position, with one foot resting on the point of another sword. The sword at her feet is then removed, and, after a few seconds, ilie Fakir, making a pass befo c her, takes away the remaining one, and the girl is left in the air alone. To show that she is hot suspended by wiies, the Fakir passes a rod above, below and all around her. Had he lived in darker age 3, the fate of the Fakir would have been sealed long ago. His "wizard" mysteries now-a-days, however, should nob_ be avoided, for, be&ides being excessively wonderful, they are both interesting and entertaining." And, in respect of the Fakir's fountain, the Australasian says : — " Ifc is inexhaustible in its polychrome, its blending of jet, and- volume, and spray, and corrus^ation. It delights the eye, and yet never ■wearies it ; one seems to wish to look upon it for ever. Ie is gorgeous in its irridi scent dyes, and yet they are all in harmony. One curiously beautiful effect is got by sending up a cloud of spray, and then, as it falls, catching it upon jets that; are made to ascend immediately after. So complete is the illumination, that some people will not bblieve it is water at all, but insist npon its being some new kind of j.yrotechny. The descent of water from above, too, is a new feature, and the rapidity with which the changes in the lights are produced almost suggests that they are managed by some instrument like a piano, upon the keys of which the operator is playing a wild colour tune. It is wise of the Fakir to reserve the fountain to the last, for it cannot help sending everybody away in goud .humor.'" For other particulars we refc-r our readers to the programme and "would simply mention that seats may be secured by applying early at Mr Upton's, Qucea-itreel".