Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Electricity, Gender, Psychology, Biology

    Believes the 'science' of electrobiology, rather than biology, is 'famous', because it 'requires very great skill to practise it', and produces amusing effects. Illustrates this point with an account of 'Mr Jones' who, by staring and arguing with his wife, or by applying pressure to her wrist and ankle, makes her succumb to his will. Points out that 'husbands are not so susceptible as wives', but describes the case of 'Mr Dove' who succumbs easily to his wife's 'Biological influence'—an influence consisting 'of a frown first, and a pinch afterwards' that Punch describes with examples drawn from the Doves' behaviour in polite society. Notes the 'entertaining experiments' that can be made when placing a sovereign in the wife's hand.