Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-02-08
EXTRAORDINARY JUGGLING
FEAT.

In the early part OF the last century, physl-
elan, named Agricola, living at Ratsbon, in Ger
many, obtained great celebrity by certain dis
coveries which he declared he had made as to the
multiplication OF plants and trees. He could
produce, he said, from a small branch, or even
from leaf, six large forest trees in the course
of an hour, through the sole instrumentaity OF
fire. He published several works on the sub
ject, one of which was published at Amsterdam,
in 1920. It's title was agriculture parfate, on
novelle Decouverte," &c. 1t has been supposed
that ne had learnt the secrets of the Hindoo Jug
glers, whose feats in the same line are of the
most extraordinary character. They actually
SOW the seed of any tree which the spectators
call for, in the earth, and after few calabistic
words over it, mulberry, p!um or walnut
plant, is seen gradually sprnging upwards until
it becomes large tree, with its branches. Nor
is this ALL The fruit is pucked and given to
the spectators to eat, and while he is engaged
in partaking of the enchanted dates or walnuts,
the branches of this miraculous tree are crowd
ed with birds of every plumage, who will fill the
air with their melody. A signal is then given,
and the tree, with its feathered inhabitants, dis
appears in an instant, leaving behind it no trace
of existence!
The author of the " Oriental Annual" an Eng
lsh gentleman of objectionable veracity, gives
an almost incredible description OF Juggling
performance at which he was present
The operator introduces into the middle OF
the circle naked little girl, about eight years
old, in a wicket. The girl is shown to all spec
tators. The operator then enters into convcrsa-
ton with her, which soon assumes an angry
tone he threatens to kill her with the drawn
sword, she supplcates for mercy, and while her
piteous cries grow louder and louder, he plung-
es the weapon into her bosom two or three times
successfully. The earth is dyed with blood
while her agonizng groans announce dissolu-
ton. The spectators are ready to fall on the
wretch whom they believe to be guilty of Sc
barbarous a murder, when the little girl enters
the circle from without, dressed in her usual at.
tire, and as gay as if nothing had happened to
her
A still more extraordinary feat than that was
performed in the presence of the Mogul Empe
ror Jehangire, who gives an account of it in his
autobiography. The performers produced iv
ing man, whose head they cut off, in the first in
stance. They next divided the limbs from the
trunk, and The mrtiated remains lay on the
ground for some time. A curtain was then ex
tended over the spot, and one Of the the perform
ers putting himself under the curtain, emerged
from it again in few minutes, followed by the
individual who was supposed TO have been com
pletely dissectedl
His Mogul Majesty gives the following mi
mute accounts of some other performances of the
same jugglers which are very wonderful.
They took n small bag, and having showr
that it was entirely empty, one of them put his
hand into the bag; OH Withdrawing his hant
again, out came TIVE game.cocks of the larges
size and great beauty, which Immediately assail
ed each other with such force and fury, and thei
wings emitted sparks of fire at every stroke.-
This continued for the full space of an hour
when they put an end to the combat by throwing
sheet over the animals. Again they Withdrew
the sheet, and there appeared brace of partrid
ges, with the most brilliant and beautiful plu
mage, which Immediately began to tune thei
throats as if there was nothing human present
picking at worms with the same kind Of chuck
? 10 as they are heard to use on the side hill Th
sheet was thrown. as i'm the other instance, an
when again Withdrawn, instead of those beaut
fu birds, there appeared two frightful blac
snakes, with flat heads and crimson bellies, whic
with open mouths and heads erect, coiled togetl
er and attacked each other with the creates
fury, and so continued to do, until as it appear
ed, they became quite exhausted, when they fe
asunder.
They made an excavation in the earth in til
shape of a tank or reservoir, Of considerable d
menslons, which they requested us to ill wit
water. When this was done, they spread co..
ering over the place, and after a short interya
having removed the cover, the water appeared
no nna shoot Of ;oa oYd las;rod tbot epp,e .