Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-07-30
SUCCESS OF QUACKERY.

Mantaccini, the famous charatan of Paris, wa.
young man of good family, and having in a few
years squandered large estate, and reduced him
selito beggary, he felt he must exercise his ngen
uty, or starve. In this state of mind he cast his
eyes around the various devices which save from
Indulgence, and are most favored bv fortune. lie
soon perceived it was Charlatanism on which this
blind benefactress lavshed her f;lvors with most
pleasure. and in the greatest abundance An adroit
and loquaclous domestic was the only remaining ar
tcie oil all his 1Ormer grandeur he dressed him up
I'm gold lace livery, mounted splendid chariot
and started on tour under the name STYLE and
| title of the celebrated DIR. Mantaccini, who cures
al diseases with simple touch or simple look.
Not finding that he obtained as much practice as
his daring genius anticipated. he determined TO re-
sort to still higher flights. He left Paris and mo.
destly announced himself at Lyons, as 'the celebra-
ted DIR. Mantaccini, who revves the dead at will -
10 remove all doubt, he declared that i'm fifteen
days he would 60 TO the common church yard, and
restore to life its Inhabitants though buried for ten
years.-lhis declaration excited q general rumor
and murmur against the doctor, who. not in the
least disconnected, applied to the magistracy and
requested that he might be put under guard to
prevent his escape, until he should perform his UNI
dertaking. The proposition inspired the greatest
confidence, and the whole city came To consult the
clever cmpirc and purchase his bd,,e de cic. His
consultations were numerous, and he received large
sums of money. At length the famous dav ap-
preached, and the Doctors valet, fearing for his
shoulders, began 10 manifest signs of uncasineSs
''iou know nothing Of mankind said the qnack
to his servant, ''be quiet" Scarcely had he spo-
ken these words, when the following letter was
presented to him from rich citizen '.Sir the
great operation which you to perform, has bro
ken my rest. have wife buried for some time.
who was a fury, and am happy enough already
without her resurrection. In the name of heaven
do not make the experiment. will give you fifty
louis to keep your secret TO yourself.' In an in
slant after, two dashng beaux arrived. who with
the most earnest application, cntreated him not to
raise their old father, formerly the greatest mser
In the city, as IN such event, they would be re-
duced TO the most deplorabie indulgence. They of,
tered him fee of sixty louis but the doctor shook
his head In doubtful compliance. Scarcely had
they retired when young widow, on the eve of
matrmony, threw herself at the feet of the quack,
and with sobs and signs, implored his mercy. In
short, from morn till night, the doctor received let
tiers, VISITS presents, fees to which ALSO
lutely overwhelmed him. The minds of the cl-
zens were differently and violently agita,ed, some
by lear, and some by curiosity, that the chief ma
gstrate OF the city waited upon the DOCTOR and
said, 'slr, have not the least doubt from my ey-
perence OF your rare talents that You will be able
TO accomplish the resurrection of our church-yard
the day after Tomorrow according to your promise
but pray you to observe that our city is in the
utmost uproar and confusion, and to consider the
dreadful revolution the success of Your experiment
must produce in every family cntreat YOU there
fore, not to attempt it, but to 90 away. and thus re-
store tranquility to the city. In Justice, however,
TO your rare and divine talents, shall give an at
testation in due form, under SEAL that you can
revive the dead, and it was our own fault we were
not eyewitness to your power" This certificate
was duly signed and delivered 10 DIR. Mantaccini,
who left Lyons for other cities to work new mira
cles. In a short time he returned to Paris. loaded
with gold, where he laughed at the popular credu-
lily.