Description of the Act.

After the reader has studied and practised the instructions contained in the following pages, and established himself as a professional hypnotist, electrician, and healer he will be able to give an exhibition somewhat on the following lines.

A great audience will be attracted to the hall by the large and sensational posters, lithos and play bills exhibited in the town for some days previous to the visit of the performer.

Before the event of the evening, several minor turns will appear, but the audience will hardly notice them, as their attention will be directed to the principal performer. The hypnotist's number will be shown at the side of the proscenium, great excitement prevails amongst the audience, the orchestra plays some very dramatic music, and to the accompaniment of several strong concluding chords, the curtain rises, showing an-elaborate display of electrical apparatus in the back ground, with the assistants standing alongside. Boards with various irons, which have been worn by cured patients are scattered around the stage, then in a blaze of limelight the hypnotist appears amidst the deafening applause of the audience.

He stands there gazing at the audience with the air of a king looking upon his subjects. The audience are awe-stricken. The hypnotist makes his opening speech in a most impressive manner, the audience listening attentively to every word. Suddenly there is an interruption from some sceptic in the auditorium; the performer soon quietens him with a few smart remarks

Several gentlemen are next invited to come upon the stage to assist the performer in his demonstrations.

Usually about half-a-dozen members of the audience accept the invitation, and are seated on each side of the stage.

The performer next explains the electrical apparatus, then proceeds to show how he can allow thousands of volts of electricity to pass through his body.

He next asks each member of the committee to try the current, when there is much fun as the different persons take the handles connected with the machine, the various contortions causing the audience to shriek with laughter.

The handles are then passed amongst the audience, and great excitement is caused as various members try the current.

The stage is darkened, the performer touches certain parts of the apparatus, producing long sparks between the apparatus and his fingertips. The audience are startled by the unusual noise of the working of the various parts of the machines, whilst the spark coil showers flaming sparks to the terror of the audience.

The electrocution chair is next exhibited, the various parts explained and the method of American executions criticized.

A lady or gentleman assistant is next placed in the chair, the current switched on; to prove that the current passes through the body, various tests are tried and found successful, viz: -

The assistant's body is touched in various places, producing sparks at the point of contact.

The performer then takes a carbon in his hand, placing another in the teeth of the assistant in the chair, bringing the points into contact and producing a blinding arc light; next the carbon is placed in the assistant's hand with the same result. A row of six incandescent lamps are next lit from the feet of the performer. A cigarette and a gas bracket are then lighted by bringing them into contact with the assistant's hand or arm.

The assistant after being placed in the chair before the current is turned on, is presumably hypnotized; this is supposed to prevent electrocution.

A sensation is also caused when the assistant is wakened after the experiments. Whilst the current is passing through the assistant's body, he or she trembles most violently from head to foot.

After the chair has been removed, the hypnotist next describes various cures he has effected, then brings on the stage several patients to cure; each one is carried on by an assistant, placed on a chair in the centre of the stage, the performer gives a short explanation of the case, and slightly hypnotizes the patient; the band commences to play a lively tune, whilst the hypnotist proceeds to break down the adhesions to the horror of the spectators, the patient feeling no pain whatever, but smiles pleasantly at the operator.

Next the electric current is turned on, and passed through the performer into the patient. The patient is then asked to lift his leg or arm to show that he is cured, and to run across the stage if the leg has been affected.

The audience now madly applaud.

The same procedure is then gone through with the other waiting patients, whilst the applause continues.

After the curing part of the performance is concluded, the electrical experiments are continued, after which members of the committee are put into the hypnotic state and are put through various tests and scenes, some amusing, some sensational; the awakening of the subjects, which is usually the funniest part of the performance; then takes place, the subjects being then dismissed; the performer bows and retires after occupying the stage for the best part of an hour.