A MYSTERY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXVIII, Issue 10, 13 January 1892, Page 2

A MYSTERY.

A WOMAN'S WONDERFUL POWERS. In response to invitations scut oat by the management, a large and thoroughly re P™* Bcntative sndience of medical men, electricians, and representative? of the press, as-emblcd at the Alhambra Theatre, Lon- * don, on November 14, for (Ho purpose 01 witnessing certain manif- stations of tb° peculiar powers possessed by Mrs Annio Abbott, a young American w.-map of delicate appearance and average height. Al though Mrs Abbott has been examined by most of the groat medical bodies of America and electrical expert?, the precise nature of the peculiar force wbioh she can exert at will has never been determined. Mr Edison, the famous inventor, after mature consideration, expressed the opinion that it was electricity, and this would seem to be . the most probable eolation of the problem, although a number vl other explanations * have been suggested. Whatever the power, however, its fortunate possessor is unquestionably able to perform extraordinary feats without any exercise of her muscular strength, which docs not appear to be great. A committee, which included gentlemen whose names precluded all suspicion of collusion, had already been selected, and upon their names bciug called out, mounted the 6tago. Before the cxh bition com* menced two doctors ascertained Mrs Abbott's temperature and the rate of h-r pulse, both of which they declared to bo below the average. A NUMBS 4 OF TEST 3 of the lady's abnormal powers were then applied. A member of the Committee clasped a chair firmly to bis body, and endeavored to hold it still ; but despite his strongest efforts M:b Abbott, by lightly touching the chair with her hand, toased him hither and thithor at will. Standing on the heel cf one font, and holding a billiard cue breii6t Itigh before her, she. successfully defied four men to upaet hcrequil- ■ ibriura ; nor were the stme number able to force a billiard cue held m her open hands through them to the stage. Mrs Abbott ie of comparatively light weight ; but the attempt of four men to lift her from the ground by her naked arms proved absolutely - futile ; but when a cloth was interposed between their hands and her flesh the opposite icsuK was produced. It was found impossible to lift a boy from the stage while her hands were m contact with bis, and with a Bilk handkerchief as a connecting link 6ho was yet enabled to impart her power to him. After raising from tho floor seven men by merely laying her hands against, and not grasping, tho backs of the two chairs m which they were huddled, Mrs Abbott finally pitted her force against that of five men, who, notwithstanding the assistance they derived from the weight of an additional and heavy man, found themselves powerless to prevent her from raising a billiard cue from the stage. .In many of her feats the performer,- to prove that they were not accomplished by physical force, allowed Committee men to place their hands between hers and the object to be ra : Bed, and m each case they declared they felt but the slightest pressure. Upon the application of a glass to Mrs Abbott's back and neck, a slight tinkling sound, as of a muffled electric bell, was heard, proving tho existence of some peculiar force m her body. An audience by no means inclined to be credulous became enthusiastic at the conclusion of the tests, and accorded this remarkable woman an ovation. Whether the force employed is natural, or artificially ; acquired, there can bo no doubt that each : of the feats was genuine, and performed without any external aid.