The Sun.
London, England, 1849-09-12 00:00:00

THE WIZARD OF THE NORTH

AT BALMORAL.

The following account of the performance of Mr.
J. H. Anderson, the " Wizard of the North," before
her Majesty, on the occasion of the great fête given
there last week, in honour of Prince Albert's birth•
day, is furnished by a correspondent of the Elgin
Courant:—At five o'clock a rush was made towards
the pavilion, where the Magic Temple of the Wizard
was erected. To account in some measure for the
anxiety of the Highlanders to witness the performance
of the professor, we were informed that he was a
native of the adjoining parish of Kincardine O'Neil,
and, consequently was looked upon as one of their
own " kith and kin." Tne Queen, Prince Albert,
and the Royal children, followed by Lord J. Russell,
and the small Court assembled, having taken their
places, the tenantry and domestics were also per-
mitted to enter, and soon after the professor made his
appearance and commenced his conjurations. The dif-
ferent astonishing feats were highly applauded, her
Majesty graciously taking the lead in testifying her
pleasure, while the royal children, in uncontrolled al-
ternations oc astonishment and mirth, gave free ex-
pression to their sentiments, the professor being freely
permitted to "cut, burn, and destroy" her own and
Prince Albert's handkerchiefs (on condition of future
restoration), to the amazement of the Prince
of Wales, whose displeasure was expressed
at the mutilation of " papa's pretty hand-
kerchief." The magic coffee was pronounced
excellent by her Majesty, who notwithstand-
ing its diabolical concoction, did not hesitate to taste
it. The production by the wizard of his son, Master
Anderson, as a Highland chieftain, from the magic
scrap-book, excited no little astonishment in the
royal mind ; and on the Honourable Mr. Anson s
hat being made to produce a cart-load of toys,
bouquets, cups, feathers, &c., a sharp-witted High-
lander suggested that the " privy purse" should next
be got from it, and a few " bawbees" scattered
amongst them, a suggested interference with his
custodial duties which the Hon. Gentleman seemed
disposed to decline. Much mirth was excited in the
Royal circle by the usage to which Gibbs, one of the
footmen of the household, was forced by Ar. Ander-
son to submit ; and on the Royal watches being made
to pass through him, and appear under his chair,
numerous inquiries were made as to whether he was
hurt. The inexhautible bottle having been intro-
duced, to the evident delight of the tenantry and do-
mestics, the Lochnagar whisky of Mr. Begg was pro-
nounced the favourite; and this gentleman being
present at the feast, anxious queries as to whether
" ony mair might be got up by at the destel'ry after
a' that bad been used the nicht ?" were put to him.
The Queen and Prince having noticed this
partiality of the guests, determined to test the
nature of the bottle; and commanded, after all
had been most amply supplied, that they
also might have an opportunity of satisfying
themselves as to the correctness of this in-
exhaustibility of the bottle. The whisky being
immediately poured out, it was pronounced genuine
" Begg and Byres." Lord John Russell evinced his
remembrance of his colonial functions by calling
for rum, which, of course, was instantly-produced.
We are happy to find that besides the personal ex-
pressions of her Majesty, Mr. Anderson received
other and more substantial marks of his success.
The Royal party having retired for dinner, one of
the Highlanders, deputed by many of his friends,
relieved his and their doubts respecting the professor's
humanity by requesting an inspection of his feet, and,
being permitted to do so, rather incredulously ad-
mitted their genuineness. A trifling incident
occurred to interrupt the performances, which was
speedily terminated by the Queen's interference. At
the door of the pavilion a loud altercation was heard
between a policeman and one of the younger female
servants, who, being denied admission by the func-
tionary, exclaimed, " If the Queen kent that I was
here she wad sune let me in to see the deevilries."
Her Majesty seeing the annoyance it caused soon
inquired for the reason, and ordered the girl to be
admitted.