Hypnotism Superstition

A new phase of criminal hypnotism has come to the surface in a most sensational manner, and in a way to startle society in general. A Brockport (N. Y.) State Normal School girl is reported to have suddenly 'cried out in agony in church, that a certain young man had hypnotized her. The faet that the young woman who thus gave rise to a strange sensation and scandal Ís also reported to be a cousin of Miss Francés E. Willard will also direct added public attention to her eccentric deed. Her remarkable accusation against a youth of good repute may be set dov.-n as a freak of simple hysteria, especially, as the young man enjoys the reputation of having dabbled in this modern black art of hypnotism. A knowledge of this amateur propensity of nis may have easily wrought upon the perfervid imagination of an excitable miss. Nevertheless, the serious question remains as to what this queer outburst may lead. The public imagination has ltseli been decidedly agitated recently by the many romantic and weird tales f hypnotlc mystery and crime. There can be no doubt in the mind of the more than casual observer that the theory of crime through the agency of nypnotic suggestion is gaining grouna n public sentiment, if not in the courts. Clark Bell's paper on "Hypootism and Law," read before a recent session of the Medico-Legal Society of America, reveáis the fact that this be'iei of criminal hypnotlsm is entertained by a number of eminent physlcian. It is but a step from the accusation a ílcr a crime to this BroekPort phase of accusation before a wime. is it pcssible that the close of the nlneteenth century is to witness a ypnotism supérstition? It is the fashion to sneer at the old Puritans for their witchcraft delusion; but what record as regards superstitious beliefs is this generation to leave for the scrut'ny of posterity? - Philadelphia Record.