DOI Heft:
October 8, 1892
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17694#0162
October 8, 1892.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. 157
AT A HYPNOTIC SEANCE.
Scene—A Public Hall in a provincial town. The Hypnotist—a
tall, graceful, and handsome young man, in well-fitting evening
Hyp. It's bad water—taste it again.
[JlM tastes, and ejects it with every symptom of extreme disapproval.
Jim's Friend. Try him with a drop o' Scotch in it— 'e'll get it
down!
clothes- has already succeeded in putting most of his subjects to jfyp. [to Jim). There is no water in that glass—it's full of
sleep, and is going round and inspecting them critically, as they
droop limply on a semicircle of chairs, in a variety of unpictu-
resque attitudes. The only Lady on the platform is evidently as
sovereigns, don't you see P (Jim agrees that this is so, and testifies
to his conviction by promptly emptying the contents o f the glass into
his trousers' pocket.) What have you got in your pocket ?
yet in full possession of her senses. Jim [chuckling with satisfaction). Quids—golden sovereigns!
First Female Spectator {to Second). Maria Mangles do take a Hyp. Wake up! Now what do you find in your pocket—any
time sending off, don't she ?
Second F. S. (also a friend of Miss Mangles). Yes, that she do-
it gives her such a silly look, sitting there, the on'y one with her
senses about her!
First F. S. It's all affectation—she could shut her eyes fast
enough if she liked !
Second F. S. The 'Ipnotiser's coming round to her now—she'11
have to gooff now. [With a not unpleasurable anticipation.) I
expect he '11 make her do all manner o' ridic'lous things !
sovereigns ?
Jim (surprised). Sovereigns ? No, Sir ! {After putting his hand
in his pocket, bringing it out dripping, and dolefully regarding the
stream of water issuing from his leg.) More like water, Sir.
[He makes dismal efforts to dry himself, amidst roars of laughter.
His Friend. Old Jim didn't come best out o' that!
Hyp. {to Jim). You don't feel comfortable ? (Emphatic assent
from Jim.) Yes, you do, you feel no discomfort whatever.
[Jim resumes his seat with a satisfied expression.
First F. S. Well, it will be a lesson to An Open- minded Sped. Mind yer, if
her against making herself so conspicuous .ifA^^- this yere 'Ipnotism can prevent water from
another time. I shan't pity her. W^^^^M being wet, there must be something in it!
The Hyp. (after a brief colloquy with ^y-,-- ■iJ^m Hyp. I will now give you an illustration
Miss Mangles). I see I am not likely to ^^^kmWm °^ * e manner in "which, by hypnotic influ-
succeed with this Lady; so, with many ence, a subject can> be affected with an
thanks to her on behalf of myself and the 40^Wl^m^. entirely imaginary pain. Take this gentle -
audience for coming forward, I will detain > j^kWjXj^gm^ man. (Indicating the unfortunate, Mr. Mid-
her no longer. '^'^^^S^SMWhs gelly, who is slumbering peacefully.) Now,
[Applause, amidst which Miss M. descends 00? .rWmKmmi MmlL what pain shall we give him ?
to her seat in the body of the hall, with v|l ' A^iMmm n^Iiilw'l^* Voice. Stomach-ache!
a smile of conscious triumph. Y-'^w'Mwfm^M^'M^ WlPwlk [This suggestion, however, is so coyly ad-
First F. S. (disappointed). I don't see 0f: '■ ^^wMl/lnlMBBmit' ■ ''if1IV vanced that it fortunately escapes notice.
what she's done to clap their hands about, A '^'MKill limu^jmm ^MSak . HyP; Tooth-ache? Very good—we will
myself! t^^^^m/M fi^SSSMBm^^M ?*ve tooth-ache.
Second F. S. Nor I neither—taking up i^^MwIjf:''^53ESBBEill HP [The Audience receive this with enthusiasm,
his time all for nothing—depend upon it /y ■ h^^BBn^,'hf^^if^^^ml^^^ which increases to rapturous delight
she wouldn't have gone up if he hadn't been /-'///A WW^^0^^^^S^k[ when Mr. Midgellt's cheek begins to
so nice-looking! ' //■/, / . ^■wi';'"rM,U^'' twitch violently, and he nurses his jaw
First F. S. I wouldn't like to think that /; Wmm^i^^ ^'' vMHl in acute agony; the tooth-ache is then
of her myself ; but, anyhow, she didn't get - 'ftflffif • '^f^SKm transferred to anothervictim, who writhes
much by it, did she? He soon sent her , f JraP7' ; i;jjn§fl *n an ecen more entertaining maimer,
packing! flBBrX ^&$rffi~^:~'~nffl^ until the unhappy couple are finally
Male Spectator (to a Woman in front oj ; vmKp ~ ^ffi- ; •:'"7 Vmm relieved from torment,
him). Evening, Mrs. Midgelly — I see jlM' "v ' ;'. \ fmHNk. A Sped. Well, it's better nor any plav,
they've got your good man up on the plat- , /// |H-''-ir"'!t'f3[:i 7"-^JJBRlw this is —but he onsrht to ha'passed the
form. // . JHPv 'y^JBfX ' 'fhi^^ toothache round the lot of 'em, just for the
Mrs. M. He will go, Mr. Btxdkin ! He's > ' i^i^^W\^3 iim °' the thin* !
gone up every night the 'Ipnotiser's been '/'j, Mf- ^'^fu (r^'ffif Mrs. Midgelly. I should ha' thought
here, and says he feels it's going to do /, , /-'///, ' AuYWMw d'' rW/ there was toothache enough without coming
him good. So this evening I said I'd come ■ ''.Jjj.j //iHmdJf. here to get more of it, but so long as Mid-
in too, and judge for myself. What good / , f/rf^fWjJl Hr*wr\ gflly's enjoy in' himself, I shan't interfere!
he expects to get, laying there like a damp ^' ff^^malf- ' firJpQ {.The Hypnot. has impressed his subjects with
dishclout, I don't know!' lit:- .; 1 the idea that there is an Angel at the other
[Meanwhile the Hypnotist has borrowed a P^sfjil IsU&i en^ °f ^e hall, and they are variously
silver-handled umbrella from the audi- /sA^^AiM (^Tji affected by the celestial apparition, some
ence, and thrust it before the faces of one /L1^^0j/I A'^tf gazing with a rapt grin, while others
or two loutish-looking youths, whoimme- yMFuS W-lMSj invoke her stiffly, or hail her like a cab.
diately begin to squint horribly and follow >-****/<^^fl*iB- — r^»r / /"") Mr. Midgelly alone exhibits no interest,
the silver-top with their noses, till they ^^jJ^^S^^^ J|dj§- I I 7 / Mr. Budhin (to Mrs. M.). Your 'usband
knock their heads together. ■ kSlp^''" I |?< 1/ don't seem to be putting himself out, Angel
Mr. Budhin (to Mrs. Midgelly). He's J: \ /* or no Angel,
going to give your husband a turn of it now. Mrs. M. (complacently). He knows too
[The umbrella-handle is applied to Mr. M., « j q0i Lovely creature!" vreU what's due to me, Mr. Bvjdkin. I'm
a feeble-looking little man with a sandy Angel enough for him!
top-knot; he grovels after the silver-top when it is depressed, and
makes futile attempts to clamber up the umbrella after it when it
is held aloft.
Mrs. 31. (severely), I haven't patience to look at him. A Kitten
'ud have had more sense !
_ The Hyp. (calling up one of the heavy youths). Can you whistle,
Sir ? ( Yes ? Then whistle something. (The Youth whistles a popu-
lar air in a lugubrious tone.) Now you can't whistle—try. (The
Youth trtes—and produces nothing but a close imitation of an air-
cushion that is being unscrewed.) Now, if I were not to wake him
up, this young gentleman's friends would never enjoy the benefit of
his whistle again!
Voice from a Back Bow. Don't wake him, Guv'nor, we can bear it!
Hyp. (after restoring the lost talent, and calling up another Youth,
somewhat smartly attired). Now, Sir, what do you drink ?
The Youth (with a sleepy candour). Beer when I can get 'old of it.
A Friend of his in Audience. Jim's 'aving a lark with him—he
said as 'ow he meant to kid him like— he ain't 'ipnotised, bless yer !
Hyp. But you like water, too, don't you? (Jim admits this—in
moderation.) Try this. (He giveshim a tumbUr of w'ater.) Is that
good water" ?
Jini [sntdeking his lips). That's good water enough, Sir.
Hyp. I shall now persuade this Gentleman that there is a beauti-
ful young lady in green at the door of this hall. (To Mr. M.) Do
you see her, Sir ?
3Ir. M. [rising ivith alacrity). I do. Lovely creature!
[He suddenly snatches up a decanter of water, and invites his invisible
charmer, in passionate pantomime, to come up and share it with
him—to the infinite delight of the Audience, and disgust of his Wife.
Afier the Performance.
Mr. Midgelly {as he rejoins his Wife). I felt the influence more
strongly to-night than what I have yet; and the .Professor says, if I
only keep on coming up every night while he's here, I shall soon be
completely susceptible to-Why, whatever's the matter, my dear ?
Mrs. M. Matter ! You 're quite susceptible enough as it is; and,
now I know how you can go on, you don't catch me letting you get
'ipnotised again. You and your young lady in green indeed!
Mr. M. (utterly mystified). Me and my—I don't know what
you 're alluding to. It \s the first I've heard of it!
Mrs. M, (grimly). Well, it won't be the last by a long way. Oh,
the insight I 've had into your character this evening^ Midgelly !
[Mr. M. is taken howe, tiir'em&etftdt Hi/pn'dtigni is not 'Maefether
withoili its daggers.
VOL. CtLT.
p
AT A HYPNOTIC SEANCE.
Scene—A Public Hall in a provincial town. The Hypnotist—a
tall, graceful, and handsome young man, in well-fitting evening
Hyp. It's bad water—taste it again.
[JlM tastes, and ejects it with every symptom of extreme disapproval.
Jim's Friend. Try him with a drop o' Scotch in it— 'e'll get it
down!
clothes- has already succeeded in putting most of his subjects to jfyp. [to Jim). There is no water in that glass—it's full of
sleep, and is going round and inspecting them critically, as they
droop limply on a semicircle of chairs, in a variety of unpictu-
resque attitudes. The only Lady on the platform is evidently as
sovereigns, don't you see P (Jim agrees that this is so, and testifies
to his conviction by promptly emptying the contents o f the glass into
his trousers' pocket.) What have you got in your pocket ?
yet in full possession of her senses. Jim [chuckling with satisfaction). Quids—golden sovereigns!
First Female Spectator {to Second). Maria Mangles do take a Hyp. Wake up! Now what do you find in your pocket—any
time sending off, don't she ?
Second F. S. (also a friend of Miss Mangles). Yes, that she do-
it gives her such a silly look, sitting there, the on'y one with her
senses about her!
First F. S. It's all affectation—she could shut her eyes fast
enough if she liked !
Second F. S. The 'Ipnotiser's coming round to her now—she'11
have to gooff now. [With a not unpleasurable anticipation.) I
expect he '11 make her do all manner o' ridic'lous things !
sovereigns ?
Jim (surprised). Sovereigns ? No, Sir ! {After putting his hand
in his pocket, bringing it out dripping, and dolefully regarding the
stream of water issuing from his leg.) More like water, Sir.
[He makes dismal efforts to dry himself, amidst roars of laughter.
His Friend. Old Jim didn't come best out o' that!
Hyp. {to Jim). You don't feel comfortable ? (Emphatic assent
from Jim.) Yes, you do, you feel no discomfort whatever.
[Jim resumes his seat with a satisfied expression.
First F. S. Well, it will be a lesson to An Open- minded Sped. Mind yer, if
her against making herself so conspicuous .ifA^^- this yere 'Ipnotism can prevent water from
another time. I shan't pity her. W^^^^M being wet, there must be something in it!
The Hyp. (after a brief colloquy with ^y-,-- ■iJ^m Hyp. I will now give you an illustration
Miss Mangles). I see I am not likely to ^^^kmWm °^ * e manner in "which, by hypnotic influ-
succeed with this Lady; so, with many ence, a subject can> be affected with an
thanks to her on behalf of myself and the 40^Wl^m^. entirely imaginary pain. Take this gentle -
audience for coming forward, I will detain > j^kWjXj^gm^ man. (Indicating the unfortunate, Mr. Mid-
her no longer. '^'^^^S^SMWhs gelly, who is slumbering peacefully.) Now,
[Applause, amidst which Miss M. descends 00? .rWmKmmi MmlL what pain shall we give him ?
to her seat in the body of the hall, with v|l ' A^iMmm n^Iiilw'l^* Voice. Stomach-ache!
a smile of conscious triumph. Y-'^w'Mwfm^M^'M^ WlPwlk [This suggestion, however, is so coyly ad-
First F. S. (disappointed). I don't see 0f: '■ ^^wMl/lnlMBBmit' ■ ''if1IV vanced that it fortunately escapes notice.
what she's done to clap their hands about, A '^'MKill limu^jmm ^MSak . HyP; Tooth-ache? Very good—we will
myself! t^^^^m/M fi^SSSMBm^^M ?*ve tooth-ache.
Second F. S. Nor I neither—taking up i^^MwIjf:''^53ESBBEill HP [The Audience receive this with enthusiasm,
his time all for nothing—depend upon it /y ■ h^^BBn^,'hf^^if^^^ml^^^ which increases to rapturous delight
she wouldn't have gone up if he hadn't been /-'///A WW^^0^^^^S^k[ when Mr. Midgellt's cheek begins to
so nice-looking! ' //■/, / . ^■wi';'"rM,U^'' twitch violently, and he nurses his jaw
First F. S. I wouldn't like to think that /; Wmm^i^^ ^'' vMHl in acute agony; the tooth-ache is then
of her myself ; but, anyhow, she didn't get - 'ftflffif • '^f^SKm transferred to anothervictim, who writhes
much by it, did she? He soon sent her , f JraP7' ; i;jjn§fl *n an ecen more entertaining maimer,
packing! flBBrX ^&$rffi~^:~'~nffl^ until the unhappy couple are finally
Male Spectator (to a Woman in front oj ; vmKp ~ ^ffi- ; •:'"7 Vmm relieved from torment,
him). Evening, Mrs. Midgelly — I see jlM' "v ' ;'. \ fmHNk. A Sped. Well, it's better nor any plav,
they've got your good man up on the plat- , /// |H-''-ir"'!t'f3[:i 7"-^JJBRlw this is —but he onsrht to ha'passed the
form. // . JHPv 'y^JBfX ' 'fhi^^ toothache round the lot of 'em, just for the
Mrs. M. He will go, Mr. Btxdkin ! He's > ' i^i^^W\^3 iim °' the thin* !
gone up every night the 'Ipnotiser's been '/'j, Mf- ^'^fu (r^'ffif Mrs. Midgelly. I should ha' thought
here, and says he feels it's going to do /, , /-'///, ' AuYWMw d'' rW/ there was toothache enough without coming
him good. So this evening I said I'd come ■ ''.Jjj.j //iHmdJf. here to get more of it, but so long as Mid-
in too, and judge for myself. What good / , f/rf^fWjJl Hr*wr\ gflly's enjoy in' himself, I shan't interfere!
he expects to get, laying there like a damp ^' ff^^malf- ' firJpQ {.The Hypnot. has impressed his subjects with
dishclout, I don't know!' lit:- .; 1 the idea that there is an Angel at the other
[Meanwhile the Hypnotist has borrowed a P^sfjil IsU&i en^ °f ^e hall, and they are variously
silver-handled umbrella from the audi- /sA^^AiM (^Tji affected by the celestial apparition, some
ence, and thrust it before the faces of one /L1^^0j/I A'^tf gazing with a rapt grin, while others
or two loutish-looking youths, whoimme- yMFuS W-lMSj invoke her stiffly, or hail her like a cab.
diately begin to squint horribly and follow >-****/<^^fl*iB- — r^»r / /"") Mr. Midgelly alone exhibits no interest,
the silver-top with their noses, till they ^^jJ^^S^^^ J|dj§- I I 7 / Mr. Budhin (to Mrs. M.). Your 'usband
knock their heads together. ■ kSlp^''" I |?< 1/ don't seem to be putting himself out, Angel
Mr. Budhin (to Mrs. Midgelly). He's J: \ /* or no Angel,
going to give your husband a turn of it now. Mrs. M. (complacently). He knows too
[The umbrella-handle is applied to Mr. M., « j q0i Lovely creature!" vreU what's due to me, Mr. Bvjdkin. I'm
a feeble-looking little man with a sandy Angel enough for him!
top-knot; he grovels after the silver-top when it is depressed, and
makes futile attempts to clamber up the umbrella after it when it
is held aloft.
Mrs. 31. (severely), I haven't patience to look at him. A Kitten
'ud have had more sense !
_ The Hyp. (calling up one of the heavy youths). Can you whistle,
Sir ? ( Yes ? Then whistle something. (The Youth whistles a popu-
lar air in a lugubrious tone.) Now you can't whistle—try. (The
Youth trtes—and produces nothing but a close imitation of an air-
cushion that is being unscrewed.) Now, if I were not to wake him
up, this young gentleman's friends would never enjoy the benefit of
his whistle again!
Voice from a Back Bow. Don't wake him, Guv'nor, we can bear it!
Hyp. (after restoring the lost talent, and calling up another Youth,
somewhat smartly attired). Now, Sir, what do you drink ?
The Youth (with a sleepy candour). Beer when I can get 'old of it.
A Friend of his in Audience. Jim's 'aving a lark with him—he
said as 'ow he meant to kid him like— he ain't 'ipnotised, bless yer !
Hyp. But you like water, too, don't you? (Jim admits this—in
moderation.) Try this. (He giveshim a tumbUr of w'ater.) Is that
good water" ?
Jini [sntdeking his lips). That's good water enough, Sir.
Hyp. I shall now persuade this Gentleman that there is a beauti-
ful young lady in green at the door of this hall. (To Mr. M.) Do
you see her, Sir ?
3Ir. M. [rising ivith alacrity). I do. Lovely creature!
[He suddenly snatches up a decanter of water, and invites his invisible
charmer, in passionate pantomime, to come up and share it with
him—to the infinite delight of the Audience, and disgust of his Wife.
Afier the Performance.
Mr. Midgelly {as he rejoins his Wife). I felt the influence more
strongly to-night than what I have yet; and the .Professor says, if I
only keep on coming up every night while he's here, I shall soon be
completely susceptible to-Why, whatever's the matter, my dear ?
Mrs. M. Matter ! You 're quite susceptible enough as it is; and,
now I know how you can go on, you don't catch me letting you get
'ipnotised again. You and your young lady in green indeed!
Mr. M. (utterly mystified). Me and my—I don't know what
you 're alluding to. It \s the first I've heard of it!
Mrs. M, (grimly). Well, it won't be the last by a long way. Oh,
the insight I 've had into your character this evening^ Midgelly !
[Mr. M. is taken howe, tiir'em&etftdt Hi/pn'dtigni is not 'Maefether
withoili its daggers.
VOL. CtLT.
p