Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-10-18
From, the Nelc York Courier.
MONSIEUR CHAUBERT-THE FIRE
KING

swallower of poisons? The epcure in arsenic
and phosphorus. the tippler IN boiling Florence
oiIs The celebrated Monsieur Chaubert who uses
melted lead to wash his hands? and warns HIM
self in an oven along side a beef steak: who
has astonlshed all Eng and, has arrived IN this
city, and is exhibiting his experiments IN Clinton
Hall. lie is certainly the eighth wonder OF the
world-the real salamander, to whom hire, heat,
poison, sc. are perfectly innoxIous.
On Thursday evening last he gave private
exhibition of his wonderful powers to a select au-
dence Of scientific and literary gentlemen at the
lecture room of Clinton Hall On entering the
Hall the first thing that strikes the eyes OF the
spec,atsr is a large oven built of bricks and rest
ing on the floor OF the building. In the front OF
the oven Is a small platform with table, lights,
SC. where Monsieur Chaubcrt performs ms eX-
periments. On the opening OF the exhibition
Monsieur Chaubeat made short address in En-
plish-necuiarly marked however, by foreign
accent lie assured the audience that there was
not the slightest trick or deception IN any OF his
exneriments he COurted the mlDutest lnNeStga-
lion Of every scientific gentleman in the room.
The exhibition commenced with red hot sho-
vel, which ne drew over his face and tongue with
tbs greatest sang troid imag Unable. Not the
slightest injury was inflicted On him. He also
dreS it over his hair with the same result "lry
gentlemen said he Ind satisfy yourselves.
Several gentlemen reached up their fingers and
placed them on his hair and cheek. They drew
them tack with all imaginable haste as if they had
been touching the shovel itself. His lace and
hair were covered with his antldote, aad he told
them so. This excited much surprise.
His next experiment was with sealing wax
He held the wax to the candle and dropt 1t on his
tongue. "Dbes any gentleman want to take seal
and sive it the imprcsson!'' No one seemed de-
sirous of that office, and Monsieur {. took up a
portion of the wax between bis finger and his
thumb and drew il in string from his tongue
lie passed over to other experiments, anu pre-
pared to take the poison. lie told the company
that he would take from 80 to 40 grains OF phos-
phorus, grains of which is sufficient TO Hill any
individual. =. If any gentleman. however, wishes
10 use his own phosp horus, will do so," said he.
Mr. Chiffon. the chymist. had brought some
phosphorus with him. He desired his young man
10 take it out and weigh off 40 grams. He did so,
in the presence of the medical gentlemen. - Let
me try that" said Mon'r T.. He took small por-
ton and rubbed it against piece OF paper Ii
pro,uced ignition immediately. "Dat is very
rood--yery good" said Monsieur. At his re-
quest, DR.. Yates undertook to administer the
dose. 1t was put into spoonful OF water
Monsieur knelt down, put his hands behind ms
back, had his stock taken Off Now, said he,
am rpllN. ''-bOCtOF ldIeS p'"ISVuCu anu
pourrd it intu his mouth. "Well," said the
doctor, with SIGH, ~ never administered such
dose before in my life When every particle
was swallowed, he called on the company to ex-
anime his nouth and see that 10 deception was
practised-to satisfy themselves that it was not
hid in his mouth Several medical gentlemen
did So They were perfectly satisfied. They
put their fingers into his mouth, and came down
from the platform in utter establishment.
The next experiment was with melted Lead
lie took tin pan full of melted lead. and plung-
ed his fingers into it, took portion in his hand,
aud made believe he washing the tips OF ms
fingers. mo mistake. gentlemen, said ne,
.sput YOUR fingers here" Several did SO, and
were glad to take them from the vessel again
They were perfectly satisfied.
His next experiment was swallowing spoon
full of of boiling Florence oil. A tin pan full of
this liquid was heated to the boiling point. before
the audience He then took the vessel and pluns
ed Fahrenheit thermometer into the boiling IL
oui.I, and exhibited the instrument to the gentle
men. Ii stood at $40. "Satisfy yourselves
said he. .sa,isfy yeurselves.'' He then took
snoon. dipt it in the oil. filled it, put 1t in his
mouth. and actually swallowed 1t down. Every
persuu present was satisfied there was no decep-
ton prac,ised "What fellow" said one
.sWhy." said another, ga certain place, not to
be named to 'ears polite carries no alarms to
him." "Wil YOU Just luke peep" SAID a
third, "behnd, Monsieur Chaubert, and see II
his feet are not clOven."
Nov, gentlemen, - said Monsieur c. 81 shall
prepare to 90 into the oven, and take dish of
beef steaks with me to be cooked" He retired
few minutes to change his dress. Doctor Pas.
calls. who appeared to be puzzled and Perplexed
at all these experiments, took the opportunity to
step up to the oven and look in. He opened the
door and thrust his hand in. He soon drew back.
g. How is the oven Doctors" asked brother ply
stefan. .sBy George could go in myself" re-
plied the Doctor. Monsieur Chaubert, however,
soon appeared. went into the oven, reused up the
fire. and made arrangements lie wore over his
Jrsss = large thick great coat. ''Why do you
.nsar cha, SO asked some one "It is all the same
to me, said he. "to 90 in dressed or undressed: