Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-01-24
nj | sc E l. l. A N Y.
Rom TIE DUBLIN UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE.
CHINESE JUGGLERS.

Some OF the performances Of the Eastern jusglers
seem SO incredible, even 10 those who have had the
beneht OF ocular demonstration, that they must ap-
pear TO those who have not had that opportunity
afforded, them as the tales, or long bows of travel
lers. For our own part, must confess that we
should have ranged ourselves among the ranks of
unbelievers and skeptics, had we not had an oppor
tunty Of Judging, as eye-witnesses of the truth Of
the facts which we are about to describe.
Having received marks of attention and hospital
ity from various friends, was incumbent to return
such clvtles, and 1t became subject of no little
solicitude how we best might cater for their amuse-
ment. This latter, it must be confessed at the ne
| Rod was matter of no small difficulty, in new
colony like Hong Kong, composed Of raw materials,
and unlocked into shape. AT length after frequent
consultations with our compradore (who is head
servant or buler to the practicabIlity Of Undue
ing celebrated juggler of Canton to transport him
self TO Hong Kong, and exhibit his various acquire
men,s to us .red brised barbarians," the aforesaid
compradore announced TO us, with much official i'm
porance that the celebrated individual had arrived
in the island. Invitations, in due course were is-
sued, and accepted with NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of any
kind being, at that period, in that ugubrors colony
rare-and large assemblage, consisting for the
most part of lords Of the creation, arrived on the
evening IN question.
The room in which the performance took place
was denuded Of every article of furniture with the
the walls, for the convenience the spectators thus
leaving the floor unmatied, and clear and wide
arena for the performer. AT the hour named the
great attraction of The evening was introduced by
the compradore. He was atlired in the ordinary
dress OF the middle ranks of Chinese, which con-
slss OF loose jacket and trousers, with white calico
stockings and black silken shoes, embroidered with
blue, and white felt soles two inches thick he had
no covering on his head, and was followed by his
cooee, or servant, bearing an implanted teali-wood
box, OF about three feet by two feet in size, who
placed it in the and retired. Thejugger com
menced operations by placing his box in the centre
of the room; he then stripped off his jacket, thus
appearing in state OF nudity from the waist mp
ward, having white cloth twisted around his loins
He next opened his box, and took therefrom an
ordinary basin, bowl. about eighteen inches in di-
ameier and closed the lid of the box leaving ii ex-
posed completely 10 our view he then walked
round the room, allowing each individual separately
to inspect the basin, and handle 1.-THE whole of
the time talking in his native language, which we
afterwards learned was species of incaDtatiUn.--
We were al sufficiently satisfied that the basin
was an ordinary and perfectly empty. He
then placed it the floor, about five feet from the
box, UNFINISHED The cloth from round his waist
r''ioi' udo i" sic atuut ydid aud half long, bv
one wide, and which he threw over the basin
spreading 1t out, continuing during all the time his
mumbng. In about balfa minute he raised the
N4osp ''V odoiHs IN pUSnD u 10 view, WheD 10
our astonishment, it filled with limpid water
and fish ofthree or four inches long was swimming
about in it! He took up the bowl, and handed il
to each spectator, as he had previously done, and
we satisfied ourselves that there was no ocular de-
cepiioD, but that the water was indeed veritable
and the fish living one.
After had sufficiently satisfied ourselves by ex
aiming the contents Of the basin, he replaced it in
the box, and took iherefr0m green flower pot fiec
with mould, which was about twelve inches il
height, and eighteen in diameter. Holding this ir
one hand, and exhibiting what appeared TO he an or
binary seed in The other he handed them round for in
pecion after the previous fashion /; he then made
cavity in the mould, and placed the seed in it, coy
ering it carefully with the earth he afterwards Sc
down the flower pot where the bowl had previous
ly rested, covered il in tile like manner with Tn,
cloth, and recommended his mpiterings, after which
/ he Withdrew the cloth, and we beheld young AM
tender plant in the ilower-pot, about two inches a
| bove the mould. This was Of beautiful brigh
green color, with the leaves folded about the stem
one within. the other, ard apparently healthy
plant, havingall the freshness peculiar TO which
has just burst from the parent earth, but Of wha
botanic species we are not in position to determine
| This was handed round by the eDchanter, and ex
amined by all, with the same feelings and expires
sions OF surprise, but with no less care and accura
! cy, THAI the water and fish which preceded it.
! He again placed 1t in lite prevous position, re- GOV