The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-09-19

lnc centre oil court every point o
the circumference of which was
crowded with spectators whose eyes
were never off the performers fol
one instant. As to the notion of q
subterranean passage, the nature Of
the ground put them out of the ques-
ton, and besides, that nothing of that
kind existed was made plain to all
who chose to satisfy themselves on
the subject, by looking at the scene
of performances when they had clo-
sed. Every one was sure that the
girl had been put below the basket,
and that she did not get out of it in
the natural way. But she did get
out, and how it is impossible to say,
though there can be no doubt that
it was accomplished by some skill
full mannuvrc.
A somewhat similar feat is some
times performed with animals. A
'juSsler will place a lean dog below
one OF the baskets, and presto, pass I.
when he lifts it up you will behold
litter of as fine pups as ever whip
per in could desire. But most peo-
pie will probably think the tree trick
more wonderful one than any of
these. a juggler, in performing
this, chooses either a small spot of
earth, of the extent of two or three
feet square, and in the open air, or
he takes a large flower pot, and fills
it with mould for his purpose. Eth
er Of the ways will do. Having this
small plat of earth before him, and
his spectators ranged around, at
distance of two or three feet, he
shows to the company a MAN. 60
stone, or the stone found in the CEN
ire of the eastern fruit known by
that name, which varies in size from
that of an apple upwards. This
stone the juggler then plants in the
earth at the depth of several inches,
and covers it up.
Not many minutes elapse until the
spectators behold small green shoot
arise from the spot. 1t increases
visibly in height and size every mo-
ment, until it attains the altitude of
a foot or so. 1t then begins to send
off branches from the main stem: on
the branches and leaves begin to APP
pear, bearing the natural hue of veg
citation. Buds next present them
selves; the whole affair assuming
the regular aspect in every particu-
lar, OF a miniature tree some 4 feet
high. The buds are followed bvI
blossoms, and finally the green fruit
of the mango meets the astonished
eyes of all the spectators. Look, !
but touch not is all this time the
juggler's word and he himself also
preserves the character of a locker |
on. When the fruit has arrived at
something like fair growth for such |
a tree, the originator of this extra
ordinary vegetation plucks it, and
hands it to the spectators.
This is the winding up of the
charm. The assembled persons han
die the fruit, and see nothing in it
the slightest degree different from
the ordinary produce of the mango,
elaborated by the slow vegetation of
months. Our informant on these
points ate portion of the fruit bro't
forth by this jugglcry, and found it
to taste exactly like the raw mango.
The whole process now detailed
usually occupies about a quarter of
an hour, from the planting of the
stone to the production of the fruit.
Though he gives away the fruit the
performer does not part with the
tree. This feat which is perfectly
familiar to all who have been in In
dia, IS certainly an extraordinary
one, and affords the most ciicctual
evidence of the power of deception
to which the race of jugglers has at
tanned.
The feat of sitting without seem
ing support in the air, is one of the
few first rate Indian tricks which
have been performed in Europe; but
even this is now held somewhat
cheap; the mode Of performing it
being pretty clearly understood. +.
The feat is performed in this way.
In the centre of a ring Of spectators,
stands the juggler with an assistant.
When all is ready for the perform
ancc, the assistant holds an ample
cloak or awnig over the jugglcr
which covers him completely for the
time. In few minutes this cover /
ing is removed, and the jugglcr is
discovered seated cross-lcgged in
the air, unsubstantial air, at the
height of foot or so from the ground. |.
lie is in the thin dress of his coun-
try, and on one of his arms, which !,
is extended horizontally, in a bent
form and which as well as the other.
has a wide sleeve upon it, fold of
n cloak wne nculipon,l,, tb,o,,., Al