New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-10-08
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
pvprprrScE OF A CONJURER.


n. exploits of NJ. Robert Houdin throw the
wonders Of previous jugglers into the shade, and
establish his claims TO being the most extraordinary
sIisht of-hand operator in the present age. lie
was born at Blois some ffty-four years SINCE Wa
isterded TO follow the trade Of his father, who was
wstcbmsker, but early imbibing taste for Ilczi
of LeeerdemAn. as well o. for mechanical inVeo-
t;sne he commenced business in that hne on bis
own account, after passing through an extended
uoyitiste, aid soon obtained celebrity throughout
Europe.
Hs .ppears 10 have been first initiated into the
sublime AIT of modification by casually witnessing
the performance OF distinguished professor Of the
science, DIR. Csrlosbsch.
One sfterdinpsr while walking along the side Of the
Loire engaged with the thoughts tuggeste1 by the
falling Autnmp leaves vas sroused from my revere
by tbs sound Of trumpet, evidently blown by prsc
tosd psr.ormeS. IL may be easily supposed that
was rot tie lat 10 obey this startling summons, ADD
few other dlers also formed 8 circle round the per-
former
He was tai fellow with quick eye, sunb1rned
face long ard crispy hsn, and he stemned his fist in
his ride v nile he held his head impudenty high. His
costume though re,her cloud" was sill cssnly, and
announced nan who probably had some hsy 10 bis
boo,s" TO use fsvonte phrase Of gentlemen IN the
same profession. He wore msrcon-colored hock
coat r.mnet With large silver frogs, while round his
Geek vss black elk crsvs, the two euds being passed
through jeweled ring, which millionaire
woua not have disdsne6-hsd il not unfortunately
bttn paste. He wsistcOst, but his shirt wa,
rmaIkaby white, and on It ghs.ened a heavy mosaic
cbsib with q collection Of appendages, whose metallic
eonno loudly announced his very movement.
bed ample time TO make these observations, for a.
tire audience collected but slowly, the stranger
tibued bis trumpet overture for quarter Of hour
at lepaih wbep an average crowd had assembled the
truupet made way for the human voice. Inc artist
laid the Instrument on the ground and walked round
MAZE stcsy 10 form q ring then stopping be passed
bs hand through his hair, and began hs address. Be-
ing little 10 this charlarlaanism in the streets
regarded the usD with coIfiirg admiration and De
termined net TO lose word OF his addreSe-
"Cenilemen he commenced, in firm and sonorous
voice "prsy hear me- ain not VIII st seem to be-
may say more, am what do not seem TO he. Yes,
gentlemen, yes-coDess it-you take me for one OF
those scurvy beggars who want TO draw a few half
pence from your generosity Well, you may uudecieve
yourselves Though you see me Oh this spot TO day,
tel you that have only here for the relief Of
suffering humanity in general then for your welfare IN
particular, as well a. for your amusement
Here the orator whose accent plainly showed that
be came from the banks Of the GarOnne, passed his
hand once more through his hair, raised his head
sucked his lips, and assuming an air of majestic dig
III will tell you presently who sm and you viii
be able 10 estimate at my true value in the
while allow me 10 offer you slight specimen Of my
skill"
The artist, having then formed the circle sfresh,
placed before him small table which he arranged
three tin gobets well polished that they might have
been taken for silver alter which he fastened round
his wat red cotton velvet bag into which he thrust
his hands for to prepare the
tricks he intended to displsy-and the performance
commenced.
during long series of tricks the nutmegs at first
invisible appe AIRED a. the finger ends Of the cOnuror
the they pesed through the cups, under the table,
into spectators pockets and finally emerged, to the
general delight, from the nose of young lookeron.
flala tta f.1E he rHa
killed himself with sDeeZng, to see whether a few
tpce bails might not be LETT IN his BRAN. The
adcres with which tbese tricks done, and the ap
pareU simplicity Of the operator IN the execution OF
tbete Ingenious articles, produced the most perfect
Iusion-at lesst as far as was concerned
I, Wa. the fret time had Witnessed such a
sight: l etupehed, 6stoundeo! The man who
could perform Inarvels at hs will seemed to me
superauu an beng; hence saw hin put aside his caps
with considerable regret. The audience seemed equally
cbarmsd the artist perceived ~ add took s1vanisge
of IT, by making slgu that be had ie" more words
10 ay. IAen, resting his hand on the table, he pro
ceeoec:
Ladies and gentlemen w.s very pleased to
o,ics ibs Kind attention you devoted 70 my tricks aud
tbAIk you for H." there the cODjuror bowed to the
etoUr0l: aLd, as / an anxious to prove that you
LAv, rot 10 deal with uogrsien nj psrsop, will a.
tempt 10 repay fu the sanitation you nave made
re eel Deign TO listen 10 ice for a moment
Il promised 10 tell you vbs. am will now ss'is-
" you" (Suddep change Of couuenaoce, ana evidence
gr,st self-eseem. " You behold IN me the cello
bfa;e5 DR.. Cssosbsch: the composition OF my nsme
reveals 10 you NY Arglo Franc origin.
To pare my set would be Ike painting the Ivy; ~,
thsr.f-e content myself with saying TIA, possess al
talent, AID tia. my astounding reputation
c.o otiy be equsled by my moieety. Electe1' oy AZ
olsDa,,oo member OF tie most ilustfious learned
eoSeti,s through the whole world incline before your
judgment which proclaDs the superiority OF my xii
Il tie grand ART Of cunn2 the human race.
Tks address, O. stssr &c a. Il vas emphaho, was do
hvtteo with iuDertuosole assurance still fsncied
rCoed twiicbipg Of tie lips, tbs: revealed the grand
doctors uI.Iesiraned desire 10 laugh For al that
Listened sstsltvely To bis discourse
cer # uyie; il is time to speak OF my works. Lean,
tsep thA; the inventor Of the Nermuuge Balsan,
~aofe sovereign eficacl0usness ia indsputabe. lee,
geS,.eDeu the woIm that enemy OF the human race
the wo,iD the destroyer Of everything eIising-the
worm that obstinate prey the living sn1 the dead,
isAt ng,h conquered by my soisnce; drop, an atom
Of this precious lqaor sufficient 70 e1pel this fearful
psTas iOr ever.
Ato. gentleu sr such is the virtue Of my marvel
Gus belsaIn that it not only delivers mar IRON this
fdshtfu cssny duiog life, but his BODY has nothing
10 fear after deh;h. Taking my balsan Is mode oi
embelmipg cnes body pnor TO death man Is thns
rero.rtd immortal. An gentlemen, were you bat
acquainted with ali the virtues Of my aome discovery
yoa would rush upon me aed tear It IRON me; BAR as
that would be Illegal, check nysef IN time
Tie orator in fact stopped, and dried his brow with
ote hard, while with the other be moloned to the
crowo that he hal not yet ended his discourse.
grsser number OF the sudience were sfeady ttnvins
10 approach the les'ned doctor; Csrlsbach however
did rot appear 10 n0cet and Ieassumtg his dramatic
p.Sture, he continued IS foloss
q" But You sil ask me, what can be the proc OF
epcb treasure! can We be rleA enorgh 10 pnrchase
Il II nome Mt has DOW arrived gentlemen, 70 make
YOU the full ex:ent OF my cisintereeeine-s
This balsam, IN the discovery OF waich hsve sorn
AWAY uy dsys-this basam, which soyereigns have
purchased at the price OF their oro~nthls basan, IN
short which is beyond au prics-wei, i make You
present Off !"
Az ihere unexpected words, the crowd p.Dtog with