The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-01-19

rs they are heard to use on the hill
side. The sheet was nov thrown, US
in the other instance, over the par
tridges, and when Withdrawn, instead
Of those beautiful birds, there appeared
two frightful black snakes, with flat
heads and crimson bellies, which, with
opcd mouth and head erect, and coilcd
together, attacked each other with the
greatest fury, and SO continued to do,
until, as it appeared, they became
quite exhausted, when they fell asun.
der.
''Thcy made an excavation in the
earth in the shape of Il tank or reser.
voir, ofconsiderablc dimensions, which
they requested us to fill with wa
ter. When this was done they spread
covering over the place, and after a
short interval, having removed the
cover the water appeared to lie
one sheet of ice, and they desired that
some of the clephant-kecpers might he
directed to lead the elephants across.
Accordingly one Of the men set his
elephant upon the ice, and The ami
NAL walked over with us much ease
and safety as if it were u platform of
solid rock, remaining for some time on
the surface of the frozen pond, with
out occasioning the slightest fracture
in the ice. As usual, the sheet was
drawn across the place, and being re
moved, every We, ,igc of ice, and even
moisture Of any sort, had complete
ly disappeared.
"They procL d blank volume of
purest white paper, which was placed
in my hands to show that it contained
no figures, or any colorcd pages what
ever, OF which satisfied myself and
all around. One OF the men took the
volumesgn hand, and the first opening
exhibited Il page Of bright red, sprink
led with gold, forming i. blank tablet,
sp!cndid!v elaborate. The next turn cy-
n hited beautiful azure, rspripkled in.
The same manner, and exhibiting on
the margin numbers of mcn and
women il various attitudes.
"Thc juggler then turned to anoth-
g: !c&!, ";h:u!i appeared OF Chinese
color and fabric, and sprinklcd in the
same manner with gold, but on it
dellneated herds Of cattle and lions,
the latter seizing upon the kline in u
manner that never observed in any
other paintings. The next leaf cxhibi.
ted was beautiful green, similarly
powdered with gold, on which was
represented in lively colrs n garden
with numerous expresses, roses, and
otEer Towering shrubs in full b bloom.
and in the midst of the garden an
elegant pavilion. The next change
exhibited 4 leaf of orange, in the same
manner powdered with gold, on which
the painter had dclincated the repre-
sentation of a great battle, in which
two adverse kings were seen engaged
IN the struggle Of 4 mortal combat.
IN short, "tevcry turn Of the leaf, dit:
ierent color, scene, and action, was
exhibited, such as was, indeed, most
pleasing to behold; but of all the per
formances, this latter of Il volume Of
paper afforded me the greatest de-
light, SO many pictures and cxtraor-
dInary changes having been brought
under my view, that | must confess
my utter inability to do Justice to
tho description
In observing upon the extraordinary
nature of these performances, the Em-
pcror puts aside the supposition that
they were to be ascribcd to mere Wis
ual deception.
"They very evidently partake," he
says, "of something beyond the cx-
ertion of human energy. have heard
it stated that the art has been called
the Asmayan, celestial, and | am
informed that it is also known and
practised to considerable extent a.
mong the nations of Europe. 1t may
be said, indeed, that there exists in
some men peculiar and essential fac
ulty, which enables them to accom- .
plish things far beyond the scope of
human exertion, such us frequently to
battle the utmost subtlety of the
understanding to penetrate. "---NeW-
York Esening Post.
A DEATH BED REVELATION. \