Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-04-02
A MARVELLOUS CONJURER.

nervous at the idea of undertaking the re-
markable feats related below We must re.
mark, how ever, that as regards the perform
ance mentioned last in the following article,
it does not appear to have been altogether
) original with him. It is related of Caglios-
tro, that having displeased Frederick, and
received an order to leave Berlin, he went
out in coach and six through each of the
six principal gates of the city at the same
instant of time, exactly IL, NJ. All the
gate keepers knew him, and testified to hay
ing seen him depart at that Identical moment
The Russians have long exhibited re-
markable taste for juggling and all that
smacks of the marvellous Conjurors, pro-
fessors of natural magic, ventriloquists and
the entire race of mountebanks, who in
France and England astonish the gaping
crowds at races and country fairs, ever find
a ready welcome and liberal encouragement
among the higher classes in the Russian
cities. About the beginning of the present
century, species of. Cagliostro, or rather a
superior kind of Wizard of the North, made
his appearance at St. Petersburg, and aston
ished the natives by his marvellous perform
ances. His name was Pirnetti, and his fame
is yet retained in the memory, of those who
have witnessed his unrivalled talents.
The Gar Alexander, having heard Pr
netti much spoken of, was desirous of seeing
him, and one day it was announced he would
have the honor of giving representation of
his magical powers at court, the hour fixed
for him to make his appearance being seven
h,cS1
of ladies and courtiers, presided over by the
Czar, had met, but the conjurer was absent.
Surprised and displeased the Czar pulled out
his watch, which indicated five minutes af-
ter seven. Pirnetti had not. only failed in
not being 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 Pirnetti! !!
Messengers who had been sent in search Of
him, returned unsuccessful. The anger of
the Gear, with difficulty restrained, display
ed itself in threatening exclamations.
At length, after the lapse of an hour, the
door of the saloon opened, and the gentleman
of the chamber announced Pirnetti, who pre-
sented himself with calm front and the Sc
renity of one who had nothing to reproach
himself with. The Gear, however was great
ly displeased; but Pirnetti assumed an air
of astonishment and replied with the great
est coo1ness:
Did not your Majesty command my pre-
sence at seven o'clock precisely?'
''Just sop exclaimed the Czar, at the
height of evaporation.
"Well, then," said Pirnetti, @'let your
Majesty deign to look at your watch, and you
will perceive that am exact, and that it is
just seven o'clock"
The Czar, pulling out his watch violently,
in order to confound what he considered a
downright piece Of insolence, was complete
ly amazed. The watch marked seven o.
clock He looked at the clock Of the saloon,
which had been consulted twenty times dur
ing 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 we're found as usu-
al exactly regulated by that of their sove-
reign. Seven o'clock indicated with COM
mon accord all the clocks and watches of the
palace The art of the magician was at once
manifested in this strange retrogrossion in
the march of time. To anger succeeded
astonishment and admiration Percieving
that the Czar smiled, Pirnetti thus address,
ed him:
s'Your Majesty will pardon me. It was
by the performance of this trick that was
desirous of making my first appearance before
you. But I know how precious truth is al
court; it is at least necessary that your watch
should tell it to you, sir. If you will con-
suit it now, you will find that it marks the
real time.'' -''
The Gear once more drew forth his watch
J. lit pointed to a few minutes past eight-the
same ratification 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. Al
the close of the performances, the Gar, af
ter having complimented Pirnetti, brought
back to his remembrance that. in the course
of the evenings amusements, he had declar.
ed that such was the power of his art that he
could penetrate everywhere.
eyes, sire, everywhere, replied the con.
ljurer with modest assurance.
ssWhatp' exclaimed the Car, '"could you
penetrate even into this palace, were to or.
der all the doors to be closed and guarded?
"Into this palace, sire, even into the apart.
ment of your Majesty, quite as easily as
should enter into my own house" said Pr.
netti
"Well, then," said the Gar, sat midday
tomorrow I shall have ready in my close
, the price of this evenings amusement
thousand roubles. Come and fetch them
/, But forewarn you that the doors shall bt
carefully closed and guarded"
Tomorrow at midday shall have the
honor of presenting myself before your ma
l iesty," and he bowed and withdrew.
| Two gentlemen of the household follow