The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-19 00:00:00

MADAME STODARE.

Not long ago we were shocked to hear of the
sudden and premature death of a gentleman whose
reputation was widely extended. Colonel Stodare
had but just announced that his performance was
about to be varied by a new series of tricks and
illusions, when the announcement was followed by
that of his death. We have no doubt that many
young people grieved over the gifted magician with
selfish grief at the loss of an anticipated plea-
sure. We certainly had no expectation of seeing
the magician's vacant place so admirably filled.
The secrets of his art had been confided to a pupil,
and the Colonel's mantle fell on one every way
qualified to take the wand he dropped. To the
wonder of the performances by sleight of hand,
completely deceive the senses and baffle
iwnligiecoll so completely
to discover the means, are added three
illusions which are such marvels of ingenuity that
they must be seen to be appreciated. The first is
the Sphinx. Madame Stodare appears on the stage ;
she places a box on a stand having four legs under-
neath, which every one in the llall can plainly see.
The stand is a simple stool, with nothing more than
a mere framework. The box is about a couple
of feet square, and one which is easily moved
by the lady. The dialogue is kept up between
Madame Stodare and a head inside this box. She
opens the lid and a Sphinx's head is revealed to the
audience. She then seats herself on the plank com-
municating with the audience and directs the
Sphinx to open its eyes, to turn its head from side
to side, to smile, and then to give an account of
Egypt. All this is performed in so natural a way
that the head must be the head of a human being,
yet it is perfectly incomprehensible where the body
can be. The Marvel of Mecca follows, and again
the illusion is complete. In this Madame Stodare
seats herself on a high ottoman, her dress is
gathered and pinned up in folds around her person,
the magician removes the ottoman, and Madame
Stodare appears to the spectators floating in the
air. We were about to write suspended, and sus-
pended, we suppose, it must be, for there are no
props beneath her. About this there can be
areno
mistake, for the magician passes a stick beneath
the reclining figure, and a hundred keen eyes
looking around in amazement to obtain some clue,
but the curtain falls and leaves the bewildered
audience wrapped in mystery. 'rho third illusion
is Colonel Stodare's celebrated Indian Basket feat,
which has for years continued to puzzle the citizens
of London. Madame Stodare now steps into the
basket, which is first shown to the audience with
its bottom complete. It is placed on the skeleton
stand, the sword is drawn, and the magician
stabs the basket in every part, the cries of
the lady are loudly heard, the sword comes
out covered with blood, and, illusion though we
know it to be, there is still a sensation of horror,
so completely are our senses deceived. The basket
is taken from the stand, the lid is opened, and
turned on its side, when the astonished spectators
see the interior empty, and the bottom still coin-
plete. While all eyes are concentrated on the
empty basket the curtains of a private box are
withdrawn, and the handsome lady, whose cruel
fate was creating so much commiseration, bows
gracefully to her assembled patrons. Then the
children go home to prattle to their parents and to
each other, of the incomprehensible wonders they
have seen, and to ask questions of their puzzled
elders which the magician aloue can satisfactorily
answer.

111011 \VATEII AT LONDON MUDGE.
IRIS DAY.—M6rning, 11h. 36m.—Afternoon, h. m.
To-Moratow.-Morning, 12h. sm.—Afternoon,- 12:1. 32w.