The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-01-28
A MARVELLOUS coNJURoR.
The Russians have long exhibited

that smacks of the marvellous. CoDjl
rors, professors Of natural magic, vel
triloquists, and the entire race of mount
banks, who in. France and Englan
astonish the gsping crowds at races an
country fairs. ever find a ready welcom
and liberal encouragement among th
higher ciasses in the Russian citie.
| About the beginning of the present Ger
tury, a species.of Cagliostro, or rathe
superior kind of Wizard of the NORTH
made his appearance at st. Petersburg
and astonished the natives by his mar
velous performances. His name wa
Pirnetti, and his fame is yet retained il
the memory of those who witnessed hi
unrivalicd talents.
The Gear Alexander, having heart
Pirnetti much spoken of, was desirou
! of seeing him, and one day it was an
nounced to the conjuror that he woulc
have the honor of giving representa-
tion of his magical powers at court. the
hour fixed for him to make mis- appear
ance being seven o'clock. A brillian
and numerous assembly of ladies ant
courtiers. presided over by the Czar, had
met, but the conjuror was absent Sur
prised ami displeased, the Gear. pulled
ont bis watch, which indicated five min
4
utes after seven. Pirnetti had not only
failed in being in waiting, but he had
caused tho court to wait, and Alexander
was not more patient than Lonis XIV
A quarter of an hour passed, half an
hour, and no Piruetti! Messengers who
had been sent in search for him, re.
turned unsuccessful. The anger of the
Czar, with difficulty restrained, dis
played itself in threatening exclama-
tions. At length, after the lapse ofan
hour, the door of the saloon opened, and
the gentleman ofthe chamber announced
Pirnetti, who presented himself with a
calm front and the serenity of one who
had nothing to reproach himself with.
The Gear, however, was greatly dis
pleased; but PirDetti assumed an air oi
astonishment, and replied, withz.-the
greatest coolness: @ 81 81
f." Did not your majesty command my
presence at seven O'Clock precisely Pr
Just So! exclaimed the Gear, at
the height of evaporation.
"Well. them" said Pirnetti, s'let
your majesty deign to look at your
watch, and you will perceive that I am
exact, and that it is just seven o'clock 81
The Gear pulling out his watch vio-
lently in order to confound what he con-
sidered piece of downright. insolence,
was completely amazed. The watch
marked seven o'clock He looked at
the clock of the saloon, which had been
twenty times consulted during the space
that the assembly were kept waiting ;
the clock also marked and struck seven
o clock In turn the courtiers drew out
their watches, which were found as usu-
al exactly regulated by that of their
sovereign. Seven o'clock !! indicated
with a common accord all the watches
and clocks of The palace. The art of
the magician was at once manifest in
this strange retrogression in the march
of time. To anger succeeded iastonish-
ment and admiration. Perceiving that
the Czar smiled. Pirnetti thus addressed
him /" Your Majesty will pardon me.
1t was by the performance of this trick
that 1 was desirous of making my first
appearance before you. But l know
how precious truth is at court; it is at
least necessary that your watch should
tell it to you, sire. If you consult it
now you will find that it marks the real
time" .,-.
The Gear once more drew forth his
watch-it pointed to q few minutes past
eight-the same rectifcation had taken
place in all the watches of those present,
and in the clocks of the palace. This
exploit was followed by others equally
amusing and surprising. At the close
of the performances the Gear after hav-
ing complimented Pirnetti, brought
back to his remembrance that, in the
course of tie evenings amusements he
had declared that such was the power of
his art that be could penetrate every
where. '
Yes, sire, everywhere" replied the
conjuror, with modest assurance.
"What ! exclaimed the Gar, +" could
you penetrae even into this palace, were
to order III the doors to be closed and
guarded ?"
g. Into this palace, sire, or even into
the apartmnt of your Majesty, quite as
easily as I slould enter my own house."
said Pirueti.
"Well. hen," said the Gear, cat
mid day tomorrow I shall have ready
in my close the price of this evenings
amusement lone thousand roubles.-
Come aud fitch them. But forewarn
you that th doors shall be closed, and
carefully ghrded." E8..tolio
ITO morrow at mid day I shall have
the honor presenting myself before
your majesy," replied Pernetti, who
bowed and Iithdrew. siiI Fl