The Van Buren press., 1859-11-11
Mgisfellang.
Houdiu the Coniurer.

AT the beginning of November, received
command to St. Cloud, to give perform
ance before Louis PHILIPPE and his family.
l accepted the invitation with the greatest
pleasure, for as l had never before perform.
before crowned head, this was an import
ant step for me.
l had six days before me to make nv
preparations, and took all possible pains,
even arranging trick for the occasion,
from which had reason to expect an excel
lent result.
On the day fixed for my performance, a
|fcurgon cafne,ataan early hour to fetch me
and my apparatus. and we were conveyed to
the chateau. A theater had been put up in
a large hall selected by the king for the rep
resentation, and in order that l might not
be disturbed IN my preparations, a guard
was placed at one of the doors leading into
the corridor. l also noticed three other
doors IN the apartment one, composed oi
glass, opened on the garden, opposite pas
sage filled with splendid orange trees the
others, to the right and left, communicated
with the apartments of the king and the
Duchess Of Orleans.
was busy arranging my apparatus, when
l beard one Of the doors have Just men,
TONED, open quietly, and directly a voice
made the following inquiry in the most af-
fable manner
"Mousieur Robert Houdin, may be per.
mitted to come in 90
1.no, -"' in the direction, and
lu!neu NY ne.-- -; tbs tbs
question merely as a form of introduction,
had not waited for a reply to walk forward
to me.
I bowed respectfully.
Have you all you require for your prep
arations ?'' the king asked me.
Yes, sire 4; the steward of the chateau
supplied me with skillful workmen, who
speedily put up this little stage"
My tables, consoles and tabome cts, as well
as the various instruments for my perform
ance, symmetrically arranged on the stage,
already presented an elegnt appearance.
"This is all very pretty" the king said
to me, drawing near the stage, and casting
a stealthy glance at some of my apparatus
az see, with pleasure, that the artist oi
1916 will justify the good opinion produc.
ed by the mechanic of 1874"
"Sire,' replied, +" will strive on this
u8ys - i uIu, tWO yCoLo o&Os W iCuuCA
self worthy of the great favor your majesty
designs to bestow upon me by witnessing
my performance"
"Your sens second sight is said to b
very surprising" the king continued, !" bu
1 warn you, Monsieur Robert Houdin, tt
be on your guard, for we intend to cause
you considerable difficulty"
Sire;" 1 replied, boldly, Sc have ever,
reason for believing that my SON will sur
mount them"
81 should he vexed, were it otherwise,
the king said, with tinge of incredulity
IS he retired. Monsieur Robert Houdin.
he added, as he closed the door after him
81 shall feel Obliged by your punctual;ty.
| At four o'clock precisely. when the roya
family and the numerous guests were assem-
bled. the curtains that concealed me openet
and appeared ON the stage. Owing to m.
repeated performances. / had fortunatel.
acquired an imperturable assurance. and
confidence in myself, which the success Q
my expsriments fully justified.
Ibegaa in the most profound silence, 70
the party evidently wished tn see and judg
before giving me any encouragement. Bni
inssnsibly they became excited. and bear
several exclamasions of surprise, Jwhicl
were soon followed by still more expressiv
demonstrations.
All my tricks were favorahly received