Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-02-08

throwing sheet over the ANIMALS. Again
they Withdrew the sheet, and there appear
ed brace of partridges, with the most bril-
liant and beautiful plumage, which imme-
diately began to tune their throats as il
there was nothing human present, picking
at worms with the same kind of cbuckle as
they are heard to use on the hill side. The
sheet was thrown, as in the other instance.
and when again withdrawn, instead of these
beautiful birds, there appeared two frightful
black snakes, with fiat heads and crimson
bellies, which, with open mouths and heads
erect, coiled together and attacked each
other with the greatest fury, and SO contin-
ued to do, until as 1t appeared, they became
quite exhausted, when they fell asunder.
They made an excavation in the earth in
the shape of tank or reservoir, of consid-
cradle dimensions, which they requested
US TO fill with water. When this was done,
they spread covering over the place, and
after short interval, having removed the
cover, the water appeared TO be one sheet
of ice, and desired that some of the elephant
keepers might be directed to lead the ele-
phant across. Accordingly, one of the men
set his elephant upon the ice, and the ami
NAL walked over with as much ease and
safety as if it were platform of solid rock
remaining for some time on the surface of
the frozen pond without occasioning the
slightest fracture in the ice. As usual, the
sheet was drawn across the place, and be-
ing again removed, every vestige of ice, and
even moisture of any sort, had completely
disappeared.
They procured blank volume of the
purest white paper, which was placed IN my
hnds, to show that il contained no figures
q any colored pages whatever, of which
atis6ed myself and all arouad. One of the
nen took the volume in hand, and the first
opening exhibited page OF bright red,
isprinkled with gold, forming blank tablet
splendidly elaborated. The next turn pre-
sented leaf of beautiful azure, sprinkled
in the same manner and exhibiting on the
margin numbers of men and women in va
rlous attitudes. The juggler then turned to
another leaf, which appeared of a Chinese
color and fabric, and sprinkled in the same
manner with gold, but on it were del!nea-
ted herds of cattle and lions, the latter
seizng upon the kline in manner that
never observed in any other paintings
The next leaf exhibited was of beautiful
green, similarly powdered with gold, on
which was represented, in lively colors. a
garden, with numerous cypress roses, and
towering shrubs, in full bloom; and IN the
midst of the garden, an excellent pavilion.
The next change exhibited leaf of Or
ange, in the same manner powdered with
GOLD, on which the painter had delineated
the representation of great battle, in
which two adverse kings were seen engag-
edin the struggles of mortal conflict. In
short, at every change of the leaf, differ
ent color, scene, and action was exhibited,
such as was indeed most pleasing to be-
hold. But of all the performances, the lat
ter of the volume Of paper was that which
Afforded me the greatest delight so many
| r-.--s.s>e a.fu g.s>raSruInarJ vuduges uu,ims
been brought under view that must con-
fess my utter inability to do Justice IN the
description.
In observing upon the extraordinary ma
ture Of these performances, the Emperor
puts aside the supposition that they were
to be ascnbed to mere visual deception
| Aney 'eiy eNiuehuy PartaKe, ne says,
"of something beyond the exertion of hu-
man energy. have heard it stated that
the art has been called the Asmanian, Zee
lestail,) and am informed that it is also
known anj practiced to considerable ex-
tent in the nations of Europe. 1t may be
said, indeed, that there exists in some men
a peculiar and essential faculty, which en-
ables them to accomplish things far beyond
the scope of human exertion, such as fire.
quenay to battle the utmost subtlety of the
understanding to penetrate"