The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-04-22
MISCELLANEOUS.
Pirnetti /;
Or, JUGGLING EXTRAORDINARY.

| rehafkaple tas'e Ior juggling ana all
that smacks of the marvellous. Conju.
rers, prestigiators, ventriloquists and the
entire race of mounte banks who in France
and in England astonish the gaping
crowds at races and country fairs, ever
find ready welcome and liberal en-.
couragement among the higher classes
in the capital of the Gar. Abou: the
beginning of the present century a spe.
cics of Cagliostro, or rather a superior
/ kind of Wizard of the North, made his
appearance at st. Petersburg and as
tonished the natives. His fame is yet
retained in the memory Of those who
witnessed bis unrivaled talents.
The Car having beOrd Pirnetti much
spoken Of was desirous Of seeing him,
and one day it was announced to the
coijnrer that he would have the honor
CT giving representation of his magical
powers at Court, the hour fixed for him
to make his appearance being seven
o'clock. A brilliant and numerous as
sembly ofladies and courters, presided
over by tho Gar, had met at the pre-
scrlbed hour in the saloon prepared for
tue evenings amusement; but the pres.
tigiator was absent. Surprised and dis
pleased, The Gar ruled out his watch,
which indicated FIVE minutes after seven.
Pirnctti bad not only failed in being in
waiting, but he had caused the Court to
wait, aud Paul | was not more patient
than Louis XIV. A quarter of an hour
passed half an hour, aud no Pirnetti
Messengers who had been sent for him
returned unsuccessful. The anger of
the Gar with difficulty was restrained,
for it displayed itself in threatening ex.
clamatious. At length after the lapse
of an hour, the door Of the saloon open
ed, aud the gentleman Of the chamber
announced Pirnetti, who presented him.
self with calm front and the serenity
Of QUO who had nothing to reproach
hims,lf with. The Gar however, was
highly dispeased, but Piruet,i assumed
an air Of astouisbmeut, and replied with
coolness:
Did not your majesty command my
presence at seven o'clock precisely 2
Just so ! exclaimed the Gar at tho
hight Of evaporation.
Well then, said Prnetti, let your
majesty deign to look at your watch. and
yon will perceive that | am exact, and
that il is just seven o'clock.
The Car, pulling out his watch vio
lently in order to copfound what he con.
sidered piece of downright usolencc,
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 was kept waiting the
clock also marked and struck seven
o'clock In turn the courticrs drew out
their watches, which was found as usual,
exactly regulated by that of their sover.
cigu. Seven o'clock indicated with a
common accord all the watches and
clocks of the palace. The art of the
magician was at onco manifest in this
strange retrogtession in tho march of
time. To anger succeeded astonishmeut
and admiration. Perceiving that tue
Gar smiled, Pirnetti thus addressed
him
Your majesty will pardon me. II
was by the performance of this trick
that l was desirous Of making my first
appearance before you. But | know
how precious truth is at court it is at
least necessary that your watch should
tell it to you, sire. 1t you consult it
now, you will find that it marks the real
time
The Gar once more drew forth his
watch-it pointed to few minutes past
eight The sane ratification had taken
place in all the watches of those present,
and in all the clocks of the palace. This
exploit was followed by others equally
amusing. AT the close Of tho perform.
ance the Gar after having complimcn,ed
Pirnetti, brought back his romem brance
that, in the course of the evenings amuse-
ments, he had declared, that such was
the power of his art that he could pene.
trate everywhere
Yes, sir, everywhere, replied the
conjurer, with modest assurance.
What ! exclaimed the Gear, could
you penetrate even into this palace,
where | to order all the doors to be clo-
sed and guarded2 p
Into this palace, sire, aud even into
the apartment of your majesty, quite as
easily as | could enter my own house,
said Pirnetti
Well then, said Gar, at mid day
tomorrow l shall have ready in my
closet the price Of this evenings amuse-
ment-one thousand roubles. Come and
fetch them. But l forewarn you that
the doors shall be closed, and carefully
guarded
To morrow at mid day shall have
the hopnor Of presenting myself before
your Majesty replied Pirnetti who
bowed and withdrew,
Two gentleman of the household fol.
lowed the conjurer to make sure that he
Quilted the palace; they accompanied
him to his own lodgings, and the police
surrounded the dwelling from the mo-
ment he entered it. The palace was in
s,aptly closed with positive orders not
to suffer under any pretcxt whatever any
one to enter were be prince or valet, un-
til the Gar himself should command the
doors to be opened. These orders were
stristly enforced, confidential persons
having watched their execution, The