The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-11-26
The Necromancer in Algeria.

The Necromancer in Algeria.
Every one has seen, or heard speak Of
the great Robert Houdin. Beside being
the prince Of conjurors, he is an able math
ematiclan and mechauician, and his electric
clock, made for the Hotel de Vile of his
native town Of B!ois, obtained medal at
the Paris Exhibition. 1t is not generally
known that he was sent to Algeria by the
French Government on q mission connected
with the black art-probably the first time
that conjuror has been called upon to ex-
ercise his profession in Government employ.
Some details Of his exhibition have lust
been published. It's object was TO DESTROY
the influence exercised among the Arab
tribes by the Marabouts-an influence Of
ten mlschievously applied, by few clu,n-
sy tricks and impostures these Marabouts
pass themselves off IS sorcerers; no one il
was justly thought, was better able to
eclipse their skill and discredt their science
than the man of inexhaustible bottles.
One OF the great pretensious Of the Mar.
about was to invulnerability. AT the mo.
ment that loaded musket was aimed at
him, and tho trigger pulled, he pronounced
few cabalistic words and the weapon did
not SO off. Houdin detected the trick, aud
showed that the tubehole was plugged.
The Arab wizard was furious, and abused
his French rival. "You may revenge your
sell" quietly replied Houdin; take pistol:
load 1t yourself; here are bullets; put one in
the barrel; but before doing SO, mark it with
your knife" The Arab did AS lie was told
You are quite certain, now" said Hou.
din, that the pistol is loaded and will 90
OFT. Toll Inc, do you feel 10 remorse in
killing me thus, notwithstanding that au.
thorize you?" You are my enemy,n cool
ly replied the Arab; 81 will Kill. YOU"
Without replying, lIoudiu stuck au apple
Oh The point Of knife, and calmly gavo the
word TO fire.
The pisto! WAS discharged, the apple flew
TAR away, and there appeared in its place
stuck oa tho point Of the knife, tho bu!le,
the Maralout had marked.
Tho spectators remained mute from stu
perfaction; the Marabout bowed before his
superior Allah is great" he said, " am
vsnqulshed." Instead of the bottle from
which, in Europe, Robert Houdin pours an
endless stream Of every description of wine
and liquor, lie called for an empty bowl,
which he kept continually full of boiling
coffee. but few Of the Arabs would taste il,
for they made sure that it came disec, from
the devils own coffee pot. lie then told
them that it was in bis power to deprive
them OF all strength, and to restore il to
them at will, and lie produced a small box,
so light that child might lift it with his
finger; but il suddenly became SO heavy
that the strongest man present could 70,
RAISE II, and the Arabs, who prize physical
strength above everything, looked with ter.
ror at the great magician who, they doubt.
ed not, could annihilate them by the mere
eSeiilon of his will. They expressed this
loie'; uoudln confirmed them in it, and
promised that, on a day appointed, he
would convert one Of them into smoke.
The day came; the throng was prodcious;
ianatical Marabout had agreed TO give
himseItup 10 the soIcerer. They made him
stand upon table aud covered him with a
transparent gauze; then II1udin aud ano.
'her person lifted The table hy tho two ends,
and The Arab disappeared in cloud Of
smoke.
The terror of tho spectators was indescri-
o"OIe; they rushed out OF the place, and
ran a long distance before some oi the bold.
est thought of returning 10 look after the
Marabout. They found him near lhe place
where he had been ovaporatel, bu. he could
Toll them nothing, and was like "A drunken
man, ignorant OF what had happened TO
h'm. Ihencetorwa,d IIoudin was yenera.
ted, and the Marabou,s despiseJ; the object
OF the French Government was completelv
attained. Tho fashion OF Testimonials"
having, II appears, Infected even the Arabs
number OF chiefs presented the French
eonJuror with piece of Arab writing, won
derluIIy decorated, hyperbolically and eulo-
9's''e' ana to which they wero so attentive
as to append French translation. Besides
tins memorial of his Algorino trip, IIoudin
has rosary which he one day borrowed
nom an Arab to perform trick with, and
"NicA The owner, persuaded that Shitan in
person was before him, refused 10 receive
bacii.-Loaaon T,mcs' Puris C5yresDon.
deHt.
PRESENTS FROM me Porr.-IIis IIoIi.
moss has sent precious relic TO his robson
the Imperial Prince; it is no other than ga
rlch casket containing piece of tho Sa.
viours cradle" Ii was received with dina
reference by Louis Napoleon, who, we in.
emo TO believe, has more ieryent piety
than Napoleon, the uncle; for on one occa
S'on' during his campaign in ltalv there
was ptoilered to him thorn, single spine
from the Crown Of Thorns. Tho lhorn was
affixed to solid wedge of gold. IL will
not deprive the holy brotherhood Of SO pre.
e'ons relic rs tho Thorn, OF which thew
are The best repository; but in the memory
OF Their loyalty, | will merely take tue
gold.'