The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-11-05
ZuTO. THE SORCERER.

ZIITO, THE SORCERER.
VERY extraordinary things are related of Ziito,
so orcerer in the court of Wenceslaus king OF Bohe-
mia, and afterwards Emperor of Germany, in the
latter part of the fourteenth century. This is per-
haps, all things considered the most wonderful spec
linen of magical power any where to be found. 1t
is gravely recorded by Dubravus, Bishop OF Olmutz
i'm his history of Bohemia 1t was publicly exhibited
on occasion of the marriage of Wenceslaus with So
pha, daughter of the eector Palatine of Bavaria,
before vast assembled multitude.
The father-in-law of the king, well aware of the
bridegroom's known prediction tor theatrical eX-
hbtions and magical illusions, brought with HIM TO
Prague the capital of Wenceslaus, whole wagon
load of morice-dancers and juggers, who made their
appearance among the royal retinue meanwhile
Zito, the fayorite magician of the king, took his
place obscurely among the ordinary spectators lie,
however Immediately arrested the strangers, being
remarked for his extraordinary deformIty, and Il
mouth that stretched completely from ear to ear.
Zto was for some time engaged in quietly obser-
wing the tricks and seights that were exhibited AT
length while the chief magician of the eector Pal
atine, was still busily employed in showing some OF
the most admired specimens of his art the Bohemian
indignant at what appeared to him the bunglmg ex-
hibtons of his brotherartist, came forward and re-
preached him with the unskilfulness of his perfor-
mances. The two professors presently fell INTO
warm debate. Ziito, provoked no more ado but
swallowed him whole before the multitude, attlred
as he was, all but his shoes, which he objected to
because they were dirty. He then retired for short
while to a closet, and presently returned leading The
magician along with him.
Having thus disposed of his rival, Ziito proceed
ed to exhibit the wonders of his art. He showed
himself first in his proper shape and then in those OF
different persons succesvely, with cOuntenances
and q stature totally dissimiar to his own; at one
time splendidy atired in robes of purple and silk,
and then in twnklng of an eye in coarse linen
and clownish coat of freize. He would proceed
along the field with a smooth and undulating motion
-.;.lo.. ah~nging the posture of limb. for all the
world as If he were carried along In snip. lie
would keep pace with the kings chariot, in cal
drawn by barn-door fowls. lie also amused the
kings guests as they sat at table, by causing, wher
they stretched out their hands to turn into the clover
feet of an OK and at other times into the hoofs OF
horse lie would clap on them the antlers of a deer
so that, when they put their heads out of window
o see some sight that was going by, they could by
no means draw them back again while he In the
mean time feased on the savory meats that had
been spread before them, at his leisure.
At one time he pretended to be in want of money
and to task his wits devise the to procure it.
On such an occasion he took up handful OF grains
of corn, and presently gave them the form and APP
pearance of thirty hogs, well fatted for the market
lie drove these nOTS TO tne VI oiC
a rich dealer but who remarkable for being pc
nurious and thrifty in his bargains. He offered them
to Michel for whatever price he should Judge rea-
sonable.- The bargain was presently struck, Znto
at the same time warning the purchaser, that he
should on no account drive them to the river to drink
Michel, however, paid no attention to his advice
and the hogs no sooner arrived at the river, than
they turned into grains of corn as before. The dea
ler, greatly enraged this trick sought high and low
for the seller, that he might be revenged on him.
length he found him in WATERS shop seemingly II
gloomy and absent frame of mind, reposing him
self with his legs stretched out on a torm The dea
Ter called out to him, but he seemed not TO hear Fl
nay he seized Zito by foot, plucking at it will
all his light. The foot came away with the les
and thigh and Ziito screamed out apparently IL
great agony. He seized Michael by the nape Of th
neck, and dragged him before a judge. Here tn
two set up their separate complaints, Micha
for the fraud that had been committed on him, an,
Zto for the irreparable injury he had suffered in hi
person-From this adventure came the proverf
frequently used in the days of the historian, speaking
of person who had made an improvidcnt bargain
/" He has made just such purchase as Michel di
with his hogs"