Fremantle Lunatic Asylum Entertainment

ENTERTAINMENT AT THE LUNATIC ASYLUM. On Thursday afternoon [30 May], through the instrumentality of Messrs. Farmer and Imray, of Fremantle, [...] the inmates of the Lunatic Asylum, Fremantle, were afforded an opportunity of witnessing a performance of Professor Jensen in his "congress of cabalistic wonders. The dining-room in the female department was fitted up for the entertainment, the stage consisting of several large tables, while a miniature screen was arranged for the use of the conjurer and his assistants. The female inmates were seated on the left of the stage, and were in charge of the matron Miss Armstrong, and the male patients occupied the seats on the right, so that everyone had a full view of the mysterious paraphernalia of the professor. The superintendent Mr. John and the warders were also present, and the total number in the room was upwards of 100. The visitors were Dr and Mrs Barnett, Mr. Henry Briggs, the Rev. Mr and Mrs. Bird, while other ladies and gentlemen were prevented from being present owing to the inclemency of the weather. The audience was very orderly. A commencement was made by Professor Jensen exhibiting his wonderful kid glove, which was made to assume any shape at the pleasure of the performer. The disappearing pocket handkerchief mystified all, and the experiment of tearing two handkerchiefs to shreds, and ultimately producing them in their original state was loudlyapplauded. The marvellous manoeuvres of Ibixus the animated skull, were duly exhibited and appreciated, after which Mrs. Jensen gave an enjoyable performance with the skipping rope, finishing with a sailor's hornpipe. The Japanese juggler Oko Moto gave his celebrated butterfly act, and the wonderful production of the rolls of ribbon from the remnants of the butterflies, caused the females to give vent to their astonishment in a rather too forcible manner. [...] Dr Barnett expressed his thanks to Mr. W. Farmer for his forethought in giving the inmates such a pleasing entertainment, and he also thanked Professor Jensen for his attendance. Mr. W. Farmer replied on behalf of the professor and expressed the pleasure it always gave him to give an entertainment to the inmates. Subsequently the company visited the various rooms in the Asylum, and the grounds, after which they were entertained at Dr Barnett's residence. Success and prosperity to Dr and Mrs. Barnett was given in the usual manner, after which Dr Barnett presented Professor Jensen with the skull of an aboriginal, discovered many years ago in Adelaide-street when building a house, and it is the intention of the Professor to manipulate the ghastly relic on Saturday evening when it will give a similar performance to that of Ibixus, the occasion being a benefit to the Fremantle Fire Brigade.