MR. AND MRS. BALDWIN.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 981, 11 June 1879, Page 2

MR. AND MRS. BALDWIN.

An audience alike large and orderly attended at the Volunteer Hall last evening to witness the really wonderful entertainment of Professor and Mrs. Baldwin, and we are sure that everyone present left the hall at the close of the performance fully convinced that the entertainment was the best of its kind that has ever been given in Oamaru. We do not purpose giving a detailed account of the various items that made up a programme lasting almost without intermission for three hours. To attempt to describe the different tricks, for that is what the Professor plainly tells his audience most of the items are, would occupy too much of our space, and the result might only lead to the utter confusion of our readers. Mr. Baldwin starts by stating that his object is to expose the humbug andmummery of professed spiritualists, and then, in the full light and without any aid, gives several of the so-called " spiritual manifestations," afterwards explaining how the tricks are performed, and showing that spiritualism has nothing to do with their accomplishment. All these things were dexterously performed, and it is needless to say that the explanations given as to the modus operandi were greeted with laughter and applause. Mr. Baldwin has a ready flow of conversation, and the frequent bursts of wit and humor, smacking strongly of America, the land of his nativity, with which his remarks abound, keep the audience in a continuous state of merriment. Passing over the items that formed the first portion of the programme, including the Davenports' famous cabinet business, the pillory, and the handcuff tests, all of which were exceedingly cleverly performed, we come to what may fairly be termed the sensational part of the entertainment. The greatest feature of the entertainment, is that part in which Mrs. Baldwin, while in a clairvoyant state and blindfolded, answered questions put by the audience. In connection with this it must be explained that at an early period of the entertainment a number of slips of paper were distributed amongst the audience, and on these, or anything else that anyone might select,.the questions were written. These papers never left the possession of the questioners, but Mrs. Baldwin not only succeeded in giving intelligent anwsers to a large variety of queries, but actually repeated the questions. The entertainment closed with the "Katie King Mystery. "In this Mrs. Baldwin was tied round the neck with a robe, and, having taken her seat in the cabinet, the ends of the rope were passed through two small holes in the end of the cabinet, and secureiy tied. Directly after the lights were turned down noises were heard in the cabinet, bells were rung, trumpets blown, and tamborines beaten, while hands appeared in various parts of the cabinet and articles were thrown out of it. Then faces were seen

at the apertures in the front of the cabinet, [ but the climax was reached when a figure robed in white came from the cabinet, and in sepulchral tones announced that she was Katie King. The lights were turned up, and Mrs. Baldwin found to be still securely tied. The Baldwins will appear again at the Volunteer Hall this evening, when a number of new tricks will be given, also ail explanation to some of those given last night. As this is positively the last night these really clever artistes will appear in Oamaru, we would recommend our readers not to miss the opportunity of seeing them.