gentleman from Madras. There was a full attendance, and the collection was said to be above average. — The Good Friday anniversary services were conducted by the Rev. J. Hollis, from Margate, and the Rev. W. Close. — On Whit-Monday, an annual treat was given to the Sunday-school children, who to the number of 180 (including those of the Bopeep branch) assembled for the purpose, after which 100 teachers and other persons took tea together.
Mechanics’ Institution, 1850
The Mechanics’ Institution
To a full audience in the rooms of the society, a lecture on “Sleep, its Nature and Effects” was given by T. B. Brett, on the 16th of January. In its report of the same the Hastings News said — “The subject was treated in a lucid and philosophical manner, and a great deal of valuable matter was produced which must have cost the lecturer a vast amount of labour to collect.”
On the 23rd of January Mr. William Ransom delivered to members of the same Institution an interesting lecture on “”The Nature and Influences of Superstition.”
On the 29th of January, Mr. Brett delivered his second lecture on “Sleep” to a numerous and attentive audience. He considered the nature of trances and adduced (said the Hastings News) some valuable information on the subject. The lecture was received with applause, and a third lecture was announced for the 13th of February. Mr. Chamberlain, jun., presided on each occasion, and at the conclusion of the series, whilst proposing a vote of thanks to the lecturer, expressed surprise at the comparatively small amount of sleep which (by a tabulated record of two years there produced) Mr. Brett had found to be sufficient. The Chairman also expressed his belief that the lecturer, although perhaps unconscious of it, possessed the power requisite for a mesmerist. As Mr. Chamberlain was himself an adept at Mesmerism, and solicited a trial of his powers on Mr. Brett after the close of the lecture, the experiment was made and continued for an hour, without the slightest effect, although no resistance was offered. “This,” said the Mesmerist, “quite confirms me in my belief". Thus armed with a sufficient amount of confidence, on getting home, the subject of the operation became himself the operator on two persons, with but little difficulty. This newly discovered (and later exercised) power might be profitably enlarged upon, but it must be at another place.
The talented Mrs. Balfour lectured for the same Institution on the 13th of March, her theme being “Perseverance in Relation to Self-Education". Her hearers were numerous and -
