The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-06-05
A Marvellous Conjurer.

The Russians have long exhibited o re-
markable taste for juggling, and all that
smacks Of the marvellous. Conjurers, pro-
fessors Of natural magic, ventriloquists, and
the entire race ofmontebanks, who in France
and England assonish the gaping crowds at
races and country fairs, ever find q ready
welcome and liberal encouragement amCng
the higher classes in the Russian cities.-
About tho beginning Of the present century.
q species Of Cagliostro, or rather supsrilf
kind of Wizard Of the North, made his ap
pearancc at St. Petersburg, and astonished
the natives by his marvellous performances.
His name was lirnetti, and his fame Is yet
retained IN the memory Of those who wit
messed his unrivalled talents.
The Car Alexander having heard Pirnctti
much spoken of, was desirous Of seeing HIM,
and one day it was announced to tho con-
jurer that he would have the honor Of giving
n representation Of his magical powers ut
court, the hour fixed for him to make his
appearance beingscven o'clock. Abrilliant
and numerous assembly Of ladies and court
ien, presided over by tho Gar, had met,
but the conjurer was absent. Surprised
and displeased, the Car pulled out his watch,
which indicated FIVE minutes after seven.
Pirnetti had not only failed in being in
waiting, but he had caused the court TO
wait, and Alexander was not moro patient
than Louis XIV. A quarter Of IN hour
passed, half an hour, and no Pirnetti -
Messengers who had been sent in search Of
him, returned unsuccessful. The anger Of
the czar, with difficulty restrained, display
ed itself in threatening EXPLANATIONS. At
length, after the lapse Of an hour the door o.
the saloon opened, and the gentleman Of the
chamber announced Pirnctti, who presented
himself with calm front and tho serenity
of one who had nothing to reproach himself
with. The czar however was greatly dis.
pleased but Pirnetti assumed an air Of as.
constituent, and replied with tho creates,
,oolness, "Did not your majesty command
my presence at clock rccisely'"
Just 80 ?" exclaimed the Car ut 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
1t is just seven o'clock" .
The Car, pulling out his watch violently
in order to confound what he considered o
piece Of downright insolence, was complete.
ly amazed. The watch marked o'clock
In turn all the courtiers drew out their
watches, which were found as usual 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 mani.
fest in this strange rctrogression In the
march Of time. To anger succeeded aston
ishment and admiration. Perceiving that
thSCa smiled, Piructtlthus addressed him ;
"Your majesty will pardon me. 1t was by
tho performance Of this trick that was do
sirous Of making my first appearance before
you. But ! know how precious truh is at
court; it is at least necessary that your
watch should tell 1t to you, sire. If you
consult II now, you will find that 1t marks
tho real time" .....
The Gar once more drew forth his watch
lit pointed to few minutes past eight
the same recti6cation had taken place in oil
the watches Of those present, and in tho
clocks Of the palace. This exploit was fol-
lowed BY Others equally amusing and sur
prising. At the close Of the performances,
the Gar. after having complimentsd Pr.
netti, brought back to his remembnncc tina:
in the course Of the evenings amuscmcnts,
be had declared that such was the power Of
his at that ho could penetrate everywhere.