Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-03-19
A Marvellous Coniurer.

A Marvellous Conjurer.
Ordinary "maglcians" would feel rather
nervous at the idea of undertaking the remark
able ieats recited below. We must remark, how
ever, that as regards the performance mention
cd last In the following article ii does not APP
pear TO have been altogether original with him.
1t is related OF Cagliostro, that having dis
pleased Frederick, and received an order to
leave Berlin, lie went out in coach and six
through each OF the principal gates Of the city
at the same instant oftime, exactly II NJ. All
the gate keepers knew him and testified to
having seen him depart at that identical mo,
ment.
The russians have long exhibited remark
able taste for juggling and all that smacks o
the marvellous. Conjurers, professors of nat
ural magic, ventrlloquists and the entire race
Of mountebanks, who In France and England
nstonish the gaping crowds at races and coun-
try fairs, ever find ready welcome and liber-
al encouragement among the higher classes in
the Russian cities. About the beginning Of
the present century, a species of Cagostro, or
rather superior kind Of Wizard of the North,
made his appearance OF st. Petersburg, and as
tonished the natives by his marvellous perform
ances. His namo was Pirnetti, and his fame is
yet retained in the memory Of those who have
witnessed his unrivalled talents.
The Gar Alexander, having heard Pirnctti
much spoken of, was DESTROYS Of seeing him,
and one day II was announced to the conjurer
that he would have the honor Of giving u rep
resentation Of his magical powers at court, the
hour fixed for him to make his appearance be-
ing seven o'clock. A brilliant and numerous
assembly of ladies' and courtiers, presided over
by tn Gear, had met, but the cOnjurer was alb
sent. Surprised and displeased the Car pulled
outhi watch, whichindicated five minutes after
SEVEN Pirnetti had not only failed in not be-
Ing in waiting, but he had caused the court to
wait, and Alexander was not more patient than
Louis XIV. A quarter of an hour passed, half
an hour, and no Pirncttil Messengers who
had been sent in search of him, returned un.
successful. The anger OF the Gar, with diff
Guilty restrained, displayed itself in threatening
EXPLANATIONS.
At length, after the lapse of an hour, the
door Of the saloon opened, and the gentleman
Of the chamber announced Pirnett, who pre-
scented himself with calm front and the SER
entity Of one who had nothing to reproach him
self with. This Gear, however W greatly dis
Pleased but Pirnetti assumed an air OF aston
ishment, and replied with the greatest GOODNESS:
Did not your Majesty command my pre- sence
at seven 0 clock precisely 2"
''Just soH' exclaimed the Car, at the height
Transportation.
." Well, then" said Pirnetti, " let your Ma
Jesty deign to look at your watch, and yon will
perceive that am exact, and that it is Just
seven O'clock
The Gar, pulling out his watch violently, in
order TO contound what he considered down
right pieces of insolence, was completely
amazed. The watch marked seven O'Clock -
In turn the cOurtiers drew out their watches,
which were found ss usual exactly Regulated
by that of their sovereign. Seven O'Clock
indicated With common accord all the clocks
and watches Of the palace. The ait Of the
magician was at once manifested in this strange
retrogreSsOn in the march oftimg, To anger
succeeded establishment and admiration. Per
Ceiving that the Gear smiled, Pirnetti thus adj
dressed him: " Your Majesty will pardon me.
IL was by the performance OF this trick that |
was DESTROYS ofmaking my first appearance be.
fore you. But know how precious truth is
ut court it is at least necessary that your
watch should tell II to you sir. lyon viii CON
suit it now, you will find that it marks the real
time
The Gear once more drew forth his watcn--it
pointed TO few minutes past eight-the same
ratification had taken place in all tue watches
ofthose present, and the clocks Of the palace
This exploit was followed by others equally
amusing and surprising. At the close OF the
performances, the Crar, after having compl-
inented Pirnetti, brought back To his remenl-
brance that, in the course of the evening $
aInusenents, he had dc Jared that such wus the
power Of his art that he could penetrate every.
where.
iurer, with modest assurance.
WhatW exclaimed Car, " could you pen
citrate even Into this palace were t. urlor al
the doors to be closed and guarded -
" Into this palace, sire, evUu into the apart
rnent Of your Majesty, quite as oasilys, shoul,
enter into my own house" said Pirnetti.
Well, them said the Car, 60 ut mid -la,
tomorrow | shall have ready in my closet til,
price Of this evenings amusement ono thOv
sand roubles, Come and fetch them But
fOrewarn you that the doors shall he CAREFUL
closed and guarded"
Tomorrow at midday | Shall have tn,
honor Of presenting myself before your Alajes
iy,' and he bowed and withdrew.
Two gentlemen OF the household followed
the conjurer to make sure he quilted the pal
ace, they accompanied him 10 his lodgings, ant
number ofthe police surrounded the dwelling
from the moment he entered ii. The palace
was instantly closed, with positive orders not tt
suiler, under any pretext whatever, any one tC
enter, were he prince or valet, until tie Czal
himself should command the doors to be open
cd. These orders were strictly enforced
confidential persons having watched their OK.
ecuton. The exterior openings to the palace
were guarded Allihe approaches to the i'm.
pefia apartments were protected By high d Y.
hitarles, whom simple professor Oft tie art OF
legerd1mlln possessed no means vi bribug --
IN snort, inr greater security, all the Keys lad
q
moments previous TO the hour fixed for Prnct-
us lnterviewwith the Gar, the chamberlain On
service brought TO his majesty dispatch which
messenger had handed him through M urrn-
ing In the door. II was report from the min.
lster Of police that Pirnetti had not hft home
"Aha he has found out that the undertake
ing is impractcable, and he has abandoned il -
observed the Gar, with smile.
Twelve O'Clock sounded. Willie the last
stroke yet reverberateG, the door which CON.
inunicated from the bedroom OF the Car To
the cabinet opened, and Pirnetu appeared. -
The Gear drew back to a couple Of PAGES, his
brow darkencd, and after mOmGntary silence,
whilo fixing a suspicious look on Plrnolii, he
said, "are You aware that you may become a
very dangerous indyiduulP'
"Yes, SIRE" he replied " | am only an hum
bio conjurer, with no ambition but that OF
amusing your majesty"
"Ilere,' said the Gear, faro the thousand
Foubles for last night, and thousand more Tor
this days visit"
Pirnetti, in offering his thanks was interrupt
ed by the CElr, who with thoughtful air, in
quired Of him, ''Do you count on yet renIlin-
ing in ST. Petersburgl"
Sire" no replied, 81 intend setting of
this week, unless your majesty orders pro-
longation oimy sojourn."
"No, hastily observed the Gar, g II is not
my intention detain you, and moreover
he continued, with smile, /" l should vainiy
andeavor to keep you against your will. You
know how to leave st. Petersburg as easily as
you have 10 und your way into this palace
al could do SO, sire, said Pirnetti, "but far
from wishing to quit st. Petersburg stealthily
or mysteriousy, l am DESTROYS OF quitting it
in the most public manner possible, by giving
30 the inhabitants of your capitol, striking
example Of my magical powers.''