Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1857-04-04
a Marvellous COnjuror.

Ordinary 'magicians' would feel rather
nervous at the idea of undertaking the
remarkable feats recited below. We must
remark, however, that as regards the per.
formance mentioned last in the following
article. it does not appear TO have been
altogether original with him. 1t is rela-
ted of Cagliostro, that having displeased
Frederick, and received an order to leave
Berlin, he went out in a coach and six
through each of the six principle gates of
the city at the same instant Of time, ex-
actly at IL nj. All the gate keepers knew
him, and testified TO having seen him de-
part at that identical moment.
The Russians have long exhibited re-
markable taste for juggling and all that
smacks off the marvellous. Conjurors,
professors of natural magic, ventriloquists
and the entire race of mountebanks, who
in France and England astonish the gap
ing crowds at races and country fairs, ev-
er find ready welcome and liberal en-
couragement among the highest classes
in the Russian cities. About the begin
ming of the present century, species of
| Cagliostro or rather superior kind of
wizard of the North, made his appear
ance at ST. Petersburg, and astOnished
the natives by his marvellous performan-
ces. His name was Pirnetti, and his
fame is yet retained in the memory Of
those who have witnessed his unrlVaIled
talents.
The Gar Alexander, having beard Pr
netti much spoken of, was deslrous OF
seeing him, and one day it was announ-
ced to the cunjuror that he would have
the honor of giving representation OF
his magical powers at court, the hour t1x-
ed for him to make his appearance being
| seven O'Clock. A brilliant and numerous
assembly of ladies and courtiers, presided
over by the Gar, had met, but the cum
Juror was absent. Surprised and dis
pleased, the Gear pulled out his watch,
which indicated Eve minutes after seven.
Pirnetti had not only failed in not being
in waiting, but he had caused the court
to wait, and Alexander was not more pa
tient than Louis XIV. A quarter of an
hour passed, half an hour, and no Pirnet-
ii! Messengers who had been sent IN
search of him, returned unsuccessful
The anger of the Czar, with difficulty re-
strained, displayed 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
Pirnetii, who presented himself with a
calm front and the serenity of one who
had nothing to reproach himself with
The Gar, however, was greatly dlsPIeas-
ed; but Pirnetti assumed an air of aston
ishment, and replied with the greatest
GOODNESS: did not your majesty command
my presence at seven o'clock preciselyF
'Just so! exclaimed the Gear; at the
height of evaporation.
We'll, them said Pirnetti 'let your ma.
jesty deign to look at your watch, and
you will perceive that | am exact, and
that it is just seven o'clock
The Gear, pulling ont his watch vio-
4 lcntly, in order, to confound what he con-
sidered downright peice of insolence'
was completely amazed. The watch
marked seven o'clock! He looked at the
clock of the saloon, which had been twen-
ty times consulted during the space that
the assembly were kept waiting; the clock
also marked and struck seven o'clock! In
turn the eourtiers drew out their watches
which were found as usual exactly regu'
lated by that of their sovereign. Seven
o'clock! indicated with common accord
all the clocks and watches of the palace.
| The art of the magician was at once
manifested in this strange retrogresslon
in the march Of time. To anger sue,
ceeded astonishment and admiration
Perceiving that the Gear smiled, Pirnettl
thus addressed him: 'Your Majesty will
pardon me. It was by the performance
of this trick that was desirous of ma
king my first appearance before you.-
But know how precious truth il in courts
it is at least necessary that your watch
should tell it to you, sir. If you will con-
suit it now, you will find THAI it marks
the real time
The Car once more drew forth his
watch lit pointed to a few minutes past
eight---the same ratification had taken
1 Mace 10 all the watches of those present.
and in the clocks of the palace, This
/ exploit was followed by others equally
4 amusing and surprising. AT the close q
the performances, the Gar, after having
conplimented Pirnetti, brought back to
his remembrance that, in the course o.
i the evenings amusements. he had declar'
4 ed that such was the power Of his art thai