R. S. IIYER-LAW OF HYPNOTISM. 
9 
possessed unique psychic powers by virtue of which they are enabled to 
accomplish things wonderful and mysterious to others, and which they 
themselves can not satisfactorily explain. As advocates of this belief I 
cited a list of names eminent in literature and science. I then referred 
to the estimate that Mr. Stead had placed upon the value of the perform¬ 
ances given by Phyllis Bentley, and also mentioned the notice that Annie 
Abbott had attracted in Europe. I then stated that after many experi¬ 
ments I had discovered that it was possible for me to reproduce these 
performances. As soon as a committee had been appointed to “ investi¬ 
gate my power,” I presented a chair to one with the announcement that 
by simply holding my hand against its back I would prevent him from 
putting it to the floor. I knew that he could not do so under the condi¬ 
tions, and was quite uneasy lest he should detect that it was a mechanical 
impossibility. For in reality it was nothing more than asking him to 
grasp a lever at its fulcrum and thereby prevent me from turning it when 
he attempted to carry it to the floor. The experiment had often been 
tried in private, and in no instance had its real nature been misunder¬ 
stood. Not from any lack of sagacity or common sense, but solely by 
reason of the excitement incident to the surroundings, not one detected 
the real nature of the feat. They were expecting to contend against 
some subtle, hidden force, and thereby all attention was diverted from 
things so commonplace as simple mechanics. The fourth one to attempt 
this feat made no effort that was appreciable. His declaration that the 
chair seemed to be resting on a “solid block” encouraged the hope that 
very decided hypnotic effects would arise. This hope was in part fulfilled 
in the case of one who was by several observed to flinch and start when 
I placed my hand on his forehead. In reply to my inquiry he publicly 
stated that he had “ felt a shock.” After having performed the various 
feats of Phyllis Bentley, to the very evident astonishment of all present, 
I announced that I would conclude by showing that this “ mysterious 
power” could be transferred to a child in such a way that a man could 
not lift him from the floor. Up to this point the various feats had been 
as sure of success as is the application of well known mechanical powers. 
But now it was dependent upon the will of another. By what agent 
could I deprive him of all power to do this simple thing ? I left this to 
his imagination; to the belief that he had in my power over him; to the 
conviction imposed upon him that whatever I attempted must succeed. 
Pointing to a boy in the audience, I told him to stand in the aisle. Tell¬ 
ing him that I was about to fasten him to the floor, I looked intently at 
him for a moment, asking him if he knew what I was doing. He nodded 
his reply with a stare. Suddenly the corners of his mouth twitched, his 
eyes for a moment opened wide; a shudder passed over him; his eyelids 
dropped; and he lost consciousness. All eyes were fixed upon the now 
