FEATS OF AN INDIAN MESMERIST

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2220, 29 April 1880, Page 3

FEATS OF AN INDIAN MESMERIST

Strange stories reach us from In dia of the feats performed by a native niesmeriser named Buni, whose magnetic power would appear to be found quite irresistible by the lower animals upon which ho exclusively exerts it. He gives seances, to which the public arc invited to bring all manner of ferocious and untamable wild beasts, and, like the Ancient Mariner, holds them with his glittering eye. In a few seconds they subside into a condition of cataleptic stiffness, from which they can only be revived by certain “passes” which he solemnly executes with his right hand. An account of one of those seances states that a snake in a state of violent irritation was brought to Buni by a menagerie proprietor, enclosed in a wooden cage. When deposited on the platform it was writhing and hissing fiercely. Buni bent over the cage and fixed his eye upon its occupant, gently waving his hand over the serpent’s restless head. In less than a minute the snake stretched itself out, stiffened, >aud lay apparently dead. Buni took it up and thrust several needles into -its body, but it gave no sign of life. A few “ passes ” then restored it to its former activity. Subsequently a savage .dog, held in a lash by its owner, unis brought in, and, at Buni’s command, iet loose upon him. As it was rush-

ing towards him, hrislling with fury, he raised his hand, and in a second the fierce brute dropped on its belly as though stricken by lightning. 'lt seemed absolutely paralysed by some unknown agency, and was unable to move a muscle until released from the magnitiser’s spell by a majestic wave of his hand.