Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-11-19

= erScuie teo not Tor efutnafy
hngers to handle. "And new, Monsieu r
Smith" said the Fire King. snow for
your challenge. Have you prepared
yeurself with phosphorus, or will you
take some Of mine, which is laid on that
tablet,
Mr. Smith, WHO'S thick set man Of
middle size. walked up TO the table, aud
pulling phial out Of his pocket, offer.
ed ! to the poison-swaiiowe or.
The Fire kng-I ask you on your
honour as a gentleman, is this genuine
unmixed poisonf
Mr.. Smith-It is, upon nv honour
person in the ro.n re ausslsd that
Dr. Gordon smith, one of ihe Medical
Professors 10 the London University,
would examine the pLial aud decide
whether ]; contained g.uuioe phospho.
rus
The learned prsfesss went Ia the Ia.
bic, on which formidable collection of
poisons, such as red aud white arsenic,
bydrocy anic acid, NOR pbine, and phos-
Phorus--was placed, aud examining the
pbiai, exclaimed, that to the best Of his
judgment It was genuine phosphorus.
This did not content several gentle
men IN the room; they desired ts see
whether 1t would ignite by friction The
experimentwa made, and small piece
soon set the paper in which il was wrap.
ped into flame. The same expari
ment bad been tried on the Fire Kings
Own phosphorus; and il they may Judge
from the volume Of flame which il set
forth, his phosphorus was stronger than
that provided oy MIR Smith. The reali
ty of the poison being thus ascertainsd.
NJ Cbasert asked MIR. Smith with great
poiiteness, how many grains he wished
to commence his 6rsi with.
Mr. Smith Twenty gtains will do as
q commencement.
nj. Chabsii-Ah, my good sir, il is
very small dose. shall not obisct to
take pound or tws-wll you weigh
the quantity ulself3
MIR Smith declined.
A medical gentleman then came for.
ward, and cui of two parcels Of pbss
phorus, containing 90 grs. each. lie
was placing them in the water. whsn
the Fire King requested that his pbos.
phorus nigh, be cut into small pieces, as
be did not wish the pieces TO stop on
their road . his stomach.
The poisons were new prepared. a
wine glass contained the portion set a.
side .or the Fire K,ng-a tumbler the
psriisn reserved for MIR. Smith. IL will
be difficult to say whether The challen
ger or tse challenged at this msment
Showed the creates, composure This
may be safely said they were at this
nsment the Two least agitatsd persons
10 the room.
The Fire King suppose, gentlemen,
must begin. Well. then to convince
you that do not Juggls. will FIRST Of
all take cd my csat. and thss, as ans-
ther rrecaation, viii treubls you DR..
speaking 10 DIR Gordon Smith, to tie
my bands together behind me-
After be had been bandsged in this
manner, he planted himself on one
knee in the centre Of the room. and re.
questsd some gentleman to place the
phosphorus on bis tongue and posr the
water down his threat This was ac-
cerdingly done, and the water and phos-
phsrus were swallowed Together. He
tbsn opened bis mouth and requested
the company to look wbelber any per.
ton of tie phosphorus remained in his
mouth, and declared that there was No
phosphorus remained percaptible, si.
Their upon or under his tongue. He was
then by his own desire unbandaged.--
Tbe Fire King then turned to Mr. Smith
and offered bin the ether glass Of pbos.
phorus with cersmsnious pslitensss
which was highly entertaining. And
now my good Sir, shall have great
pleasure in seeing you take of your
glass too.' Mr.. Smith started back in
infinite alarm Not for worlds, Sir. NJ OF
for worlds, beg to decline IT,
The Fire King-Ehl mon Dieu;
you decline Il! On! dear Sir, no, no;
yeu drink Won little glass to sbligs the
company
MIR Smith The company must excuse
me. don't sften drink 10 the morning,
and least Of all such ardent spirit as
phosphorus.
The Fire King--Then why fer did
Won send me a challenger You have
pledged ysur konsur to drink il If did.
/ have done it; and if you are a gentle.
man you must drink IL too.
MIR Smith-No. no / must be excus-
ed: am quite satisfied without it.
Here several voices exclsimed that the bet
was lost. Some said that there must be con.
l. nc CHI alten0rr ha