PROFESSOR BRAEMAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1112, 21 June 1913, Page 3

PROFESSOR BRAEMAR.

Professor Braemar gave his initial hypnotic entertainment in the Royal last night, to a good and most enthusiastic audience. The majority ot those who attended were attracted through the sleeping subject on exhibition in Mr Stiles’ window, and to the free exhibitions given in the street by the professor, but they were still .sceptical. Shortly after 8 o’clock the sleeper was subjected to several tests in the presence of a local committee and in full view of the audience. His head was placed on the back of one chair and feet on the other. The professor then stood on the rigid and otherwise unsupported body. He then pierced the tongue and cheek of the subject with a needle, but there was no flow of blood. The sleeper was then awakened, much to the relief of the audience, looking and feeling none the worse for the ordeal through which he had passed. The committee expressed its satisfaction that no trickery had been practised. A short address was then delivered on the hypnotic art, the speaker setting forth that it was impossible for any person to be hypnotised against their will. The best subjects were persons of bright intellect—it was impossible to influence infants, imbeciles or persons in liquor. He asked for the assistance of a number of local gentlemen, and several volunteered. One was dismissed as the result of a minor test. After a series of pictures had been screened the fun commenced. The subjects were first put through some minor tests such as the locking of the hands and falling backward and forward. They were sent into a “deep, deep, DEEP” sleep, and were told that upon awakening they would see a dog fight. The antics of the sleepers as they watched the dogs created roars of laughter. They were then told to witness a football match, and their exclamations and movements again sent the audience into fits of laughter, which was renewed when they found them.selves in a strawberry bed, where they gathered and ate the luscious fruit with great relish. When asked to remember the funniest joke they had ever heard the subjects became * hilarious, and the audience laughed as heartily. Perhaps the funniest suggestion of all was that in which the subjects imagined they bad rubber noses of wonderful elasticity. The manner in which they stretched them in all directions was immense. They were made to forget their names, and then to remember them, but fail to utter them. One of the subjects was a full-blooded Maori, the first of his race, we believe, to come under hypnotic influence on a public stage, but be turned out to be a first-class subject. The audience were kept in a state of wonder and amusement from start to finish. The entertainment was absolutely free from vulgarity and we can recommend it to anyone who desires a good hearty laugh and something else to think about. The final entertainment will be held to-night when a crowded house is anticipated. This afternoon an object was hidden on the football ground and the professor blindfolded discovered it and was given a hearty round of applause for his leat.