MESMERISM ON THE STAGE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1312, 24 February 1883, Page 4

MESMERISM ON THE STAGE.

Mr George Darrell author of the mystic drama, " back from tbe Grave," relatesthe following:--" Whilst enacting the mesmeric scene during an engagement in California, I became im- ' pressod with the belief that the actor before me was gradually but surely succumbing under the influence of my piisses and concentrated gaze, By more will-porer 1 forced him bachwards to a reclining position in achaii on the right of the stage, and commanding him to sleep, awaited (he result. Proceeding with the scene I placed myself presumably in a clairvoyant state, and on awakening therefrom I crossed to the sleep-actor to proceed with the usual business, purposely omitting the voice cue ' awake, awake!' I seized the man bodily to perform our customary struggle. He fell like a log to the stage, and to my consternation lay as though dead. He was mesmerised with a vengeance, and so potently that I found it necessary to drop my assumed character and proceed to de-mesmerise him, a work of more than ordinav difficulty, during which the ourtai.. was lowered with tin net unfinished and the audience left to po::ih-r on the unrehearsed effect. After the performance, several members of the company expressed their doubts as to the genuineness of the situation,' and challenged me to give further proof of my mesmeric power. After several refusals, lat length consented to the trial, and strangely enough the 'juvenile lady/ the 'heavyman,' the stage-manager, and an old Australian friend of mine who chanced to be present, were soon placed under the influence of the occult power. Questioning the Australian as ti his paientage and his home, I elici- . ted replies painful to a degree. The serious illness of a near relative was announced, together with other matters of vital importance to himself. Time passed ok, and long ere I returned to the Australias I had verified the truth of the clairvoyent messages. The sad news so mysteriously conveyed across the sea was verified in every particular, Pain ' and mirery had fallen upon my poor ( friend's family, and themeinber thereof ( most loved and most needed-had passed i i ' ihmiflh the mists into eternity." I<