PROFESSOR MASON.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2251, 8 September 1891, Page 3

PROFESSOR MASON.

" Man know thyself, presume not God to scan; the proper study of mankind is man," said the poet Pope, and we may add that the -first man one ought to begin at is oneself. He ought to try to understand I what he is, what are the laws which govern his health, what are his weak points and his strong ones, and what are his physical and mental peculiarities. It is to teach these that Professor Mason is amongst us. We do not wish it to be inferred from this that Professor Mason is a philanthropist who is travelling for the good of mankind without seeking reward. On the contrary, Professor Mason is a practical man of business, and the object of his visit is to advertise electropathic appliances, which he offers to sell to the public. These consist of an electropathic pad or belt, which contain certain properties, which are absorbed into the body. These supply the place of medicine. He has also an electric battery, with which the nerves are toned and put in order." Last evening he appeared in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, to a large audience, and announced that the line which separated his mission from that of a preacher was very thin. The preacher pointed out the way to Heaven; he pointed out the best way to remain on earth as long as they could. The soul was the man, the body was nothing, and when the body got uninhabitable the soul left it. It was well for a man to keep his body and soul on good terms with each other, and the way to do so was by attending to health. He proceeded to give several instances which tended to show that irregularities in the nervous system were the cause of a great deal of trouble, and his illustrations were most striking and clear. . After having dwelt on this point for some time he passed on to phrenology, and by means of diagrams gave an interesting discourse on that subject, winding up with reading the heads of a couple of well-known local men in a manner that appeared highly satisfactory to the audience. Professor Mason has a fine presence on the stage, speaks fluently and pleasantly in a voice and tones which leaves no mistake as to his nationality. He is of course an American, and a graduate of the Phrenological College of Boston. His lectures are free from anything which could offend the finest sensibilities, and the large number of ladies present had no reason to complain. His lecture was enlivened by several songs, rendered in excellent voice by Mr Morris, one of the best comic smgers we have heard for a long time. Mr Morris's singing is really good enough to go to hear without any further attraction, and as the entertainment is free we shall be surprised if the hall is not filled in future. This evening his lecture will be on " Brain and nerves," and we feel certain it will be worth listening to.