A YORKSHIRE NATURALIST 101 



" I will now show you another effect of hypnotism. 

 " Lend me your pocket-book and pencil." I did so. 

 He then placed the book in the boy's left hand, 

 which he raised into a convenient position in front 

 of the lad's breast. My pencil was placed in his 

 right hand, which was lifted into such a position that 

 the point of the pencil rested upon one of the pages 

 of the book. This attitude was rigidly maintained 

 until Braid whispered in his ear, " Write your name 

 "and address." The lad did so. "John Ellis, 

 " Lloyd Street, Manchester." This done, the book 

 and pencil were restored to my pocket. Braid then 

 awoke the boy and asked, "John, what were you 

 " doing just now " ? He looked about rather wildly 

 for a moment, and persistently answered, " Nothing." 

 Braid then sent him off to sleep again. The question 

 was again asked, " John, what were you doing just 

 " now " ? The lad answered promptly, but in a low 

 voice, " Writing my name and address." A 

 succession of similar experiments clearly indicated 

 two things ; first, that a mesmerised individual would 

 do what he was told to do ; second, that things done 

 when in that state were remembered only when 

 the same condition was resumed ; otherwise they 

 were forgotten, indicating a dual state of mind, 

 which, so far as I know, has not yet been 

 satisfactorily explained. I cannot learn that Braid's 

 method of experimental inquiry and of philosophical 

 induction has been continued by any person since he 

 died. 



