The hydraulic press., 1861-04-13
Indian Juggling at Calcutta.


The fort of Calcutta, commonly known as
Fort William is one of the most splendid
and convenient military establishments to be
found in any quarter of the globe. 1t is
very spacious, and somewhat resembles the
Tower of London, in that it consists Of va
fious streets and squares, adapted for different
military purposes. On all sides it is
guarded by high and strongly built ram
part, which is surrounded in its turn by a
broad and deep fosse, over which are placed
drawbridges, leading to the principal gate
ways. Arrived in Calcutta, raw griffin, of
course, | went to inspect the lions, and
among others, the fort.
The fort is often the scene Of animated fes-
tivities, from the presence of native jngglers,
renowned for their surprising skill and dex-
terity. The performances Of these strange
people have been so often described, that |
shall only make mention of a few, for
otherwise | might tire tire reader. One of
them struck me as being curious from its
having a strong resemblance to the feats
recorded in sacred history, as having been
performed by the magicians of Egypt, in the
time of Moses, and in the presence of Pha-
raoh. Indeed, as it is we'll known that the
Hindoo tricks have been handed down from
the most distant ages, from father to son,
there is little wonder that such a similarity
can exist. The particular trick alluded to,
is the apparent conversation Of a brass coin
into snake.
The juggler gave me the coin to hold, and
then seated himself about FIVE yards from me,
on a small rug, from which he never attempt
ed to move during the whole performance. l
showed the coin to several persons who were
close beside me, on form in front of the
juggler. | grasped the coin firmly with
both my hands, and placed them between
my knees. Ofcourse was positively certain
that the small coin was within my double
fists. The juggler then began sort of
incantaton, accompanied by monotonous
and dscordant kind of recitative, and re-
peating the words-'Ram, Sammn." during
some minutes. He then suddenly stopped,
and still keeping his seat, made quick
motion with his right hand, as if throwing
something at me, giving at the same time a
puff with his mouth.
At that instant felt my hands suddenly
distend, and become partly open, while ex-
perienced a sensation as if cold ball of
dough or something equally soft, nasty and
disagreeable was now between my palms. |
started to my feet in astonishment, also to
the astonshment of Others, and opening my
hands, found there no coin, but to my horror
and alarm l saw a Young snake, al alive !!
and of all snakes in the world, cobra de
'capella, folded, or rather coled roundly up.
/ threw it instantly to the ground, trembling
with rage and fear, as if already bit by the
deadly reptile, which began Immediately to
crawl along the ground, to the alarm and
amaZement of every one present.
The juggler now got up for the first time
since he had sat down, and catching hold of
the snake displayed its length, which was
nearly two feet two feet all but an inch
and halt. He then took it cautiously by
the tail and opening his mouth to its widest
extent, let the head of the snake drop into
it, and deliberately commenced to swallow
the animal till the end of the tail only was
visible then, making a sudden gulp, the
whole of the snake was apparently swallowed
After this he came up to the spectators and
opening his mouth wide, permitted US to look
into his threat, but no snake or snakes tail
was visible it was seemingly down his
throat altogether.
During the remainder of the perform, 1ces,
we never saw this snake again, nor did the
man profess his ability to make it re-appear ;
but he performed another snake trick which
another cobra de capella, and walking into
the centre of the room, enclosed it in his
hands in folded state. He waved, or shook
them for some time in this condition, and
then opening his fists, when, hey! presto !!
the snake was gone, aud in its place ap
peared several small ones, which he suffered
to fall from his hands, when they glided with
their peculiar undulating movement, almost
<I IF = aho ha
While staying in Madras, before coming
home, party of jugglers came forward on
one occasion to act publicly in the yard of
the barracks there. Many hundreds of people,
of all sorts, different ages, both sexes, and
various denominations, including the soldiery
in the garrison, assembled to witness the
exhibition, and some little temporary ar
rangements were made to enable each and
every one to see and hear conveniently.
The leader of the jugglers (who were all, of
course natives of Hindostan) requested the
commanding officer to place guard around
the scene of display-a precaution which was
adopted, and which proved very wise one
The floor of the court, be it observed, was
composed of sand-fne and well trodden
On this ground then, after some preliminary
tricks of an inferior kind, one man was left
alone with little girl, seemingly about eight
or nine years of age. Beside them stood a
tall, narrow basket, three or four feet high,
by little more than a foot in width, and
open all the way up. No other object.
animate or inanimate, appeared on the
ground.
After short period spent by the man in
conversing with the little girl, he seemed to
get angry, and began to rail loudly at her,
for the neglect of some wish of his. The
child attempted to soothe him, but he con-