Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-12-30
BrroRc BEHIND THE CuRrAis."-

oi the world,' some time ago left Chlca-
90 in great haste, and forgot 90 settle
certain items Of Indebtedness which he
had contracted here for printing and
other et ceteras, connected with his
magic shows. In the hurry OF depar-
turc he unluckily lett at the depot a
couple OF large boxes, which the credi-
tors of his wizardship Immediately
pounred upon, and which were found
to contain the implements OF his trade.
Still more unluckily Tor professors OF
d,abeierie, the articles revealed the
mod IS operandi, Of their business
showing how il is done, and how il isn't
We beg pardon of all " wizards" for
letting the public into their secrets, but
as we are not sworn to privacy, we
cannot be reproached for violation OF
confidence, and moreover, as the know
ledge gained is OF such stupendous
consequence, we deem it duty to give
it for the - cause Of public enligh,cn-
ment."
The most cumbrous article OF this
stock in trade" is the large copper
kettle, in which DR.. Faustus and the
Devil were wont to boil their dinners.
This kettle is suspended before the aud
ience. and into il are thrown several
pals full OF water, which is suddenly
converted into solid ice, or mysterious
ly metamorphosed into half o dozen
pigeons, rabbits, &C., &C., which OH re.
moving the cover, hurry away in every
direction. All this is the Llliest piece
OF humbuggery in the world, 10 such us
can perceive that this mysterious kettle
is made with double sides, with vacan-
cy between them into which the water
passes. aud thence is drawn upward
through the bal and suspeI ding rods,
which are hollow, and passes of in the
manner Of a syphon to tub below the
stage. The cover is sufficiently large
TO contain the birds and rabbits, which,
by turning the knob Of the cover, and
let down, together with the separatrix
that concealed them into the kettle.
The celebrated bottle feat" Of pour
ing great variety OF wines and liquors
from common glass botIe-is no less
simple, and when understood. no lees
silly, than the foregoing. The " common
glass bottle" borrowed from the audi
ence, is oi course not the one used Oh
these occasions, but is exchanged for
another made Of japanned Tin, and iurn-
ished internally with recep,rcles for the
different kinds Of liquors. Each recepta'
= Gle has valve, and these valves may
be opcred and closed al pleasure by
stops on the outside Of the bottle, ar.
ranged for the fingers like the kcys Of
musical instrument The compart-
men,s having no connection with the
mouth OF the bottle, except by the valves,
the bottle may at any time he rinsed
with water, AMI then more liquor pour
ed out. There are n couple OF those
incxhaustibIe bottles" in the 1" pres
ent cellecton." both of which arc soon
to be sold TO the highest bidder. We
advise parties about going TO California
or the lumber regions, TO buy and take
them along they may thus carry
respectable retail liquor shop in each
pocket.
The " ETHEREAL Suspension" is ano,h-
er trick OF the jugglers, at which people
with large marvclousness were staring
with open mouths and elevated eye
brows, IA short time ago. The strong
iron machinery for suspending the body
in horizontal position, is among the
articles disclosed by the opening Of
Alexander's boxes.
A small piece OF brass ordinance,
calcul ted for the usc Of gold watches,
canary birds, &C., for the ammunition
IS another of this interesting collection.
There are also a great variety Of other
articles, numbering altogether som:
fifty or sixty designed for various uses
in the black art. There is but one
marvel, however, to us, connected with
all this nccromancy business, which 10
tho success that has attended the multi
tudc OF characters who parade through
the country, performing these juggling
tricks. More money has been made by
some OF these fellows, than by Forrest,
Jenny Lind, or any respectable person
who ever appeared before an audience
and tomorrow, were I" Prof" Ander-
son 10 arrive in Chicago, he could n",
lind room large enough to hold those
who would flock TO see him.
Notice will be given Of the lime Of
sale oi the goods Of Herr Alexander
Chicago Journal.