Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-03-08
Indian Juggling.

Tho fort Of Calcutta, commonly known a.
Fort William, is one Of the most splendid and
convenient military establishments 10 be found
in any quarter of the globe. 1t is very sPa-
cious, aud somewhat resembles the Tower OF
London, IN that it consists of various stfeets
and squares, adapted for different military pur-
poses. On all sides il is guarded by high
and strongly built rampant, which is surround-
ed in its turn by broad and deep fosse, over
which ara placed draw-bridges, leading to the
principal gateways. Arrived IN Calcutta, a
raw griffin, Of course I went to inspect the lions,
and among others the fort.
The fort is often the scene of animated fes-
tiviiy, from the presence of native jugglefs,
renowned for their surprising skill and dexter
ity. The performances Of these strange people
have been so often described, that shall only
make mention of few, for otherwise | might
tire the reader One of them struck NE as
beiLg curious from its having strong resem-
banee to the feats recorded in sacred history,
as having been performed By the magicians Of
Egypt, in the time Of Mases, and in tbe pres
ence Of Pharaoh Indeed, as it is we'll known
that the Hindu tricks have been handed down
from the most distant ages, from father to son,
there is little wonder thai such similarity can
exist. The particular trick alluded to, is the
apparent conversion of a trass coin into a
snake. The juggleE gave me the coin to hold,
and then seated himself about Eve yards from
me, on small rug, from which be never at
tempted to move during the whole perform
ance. showed the coin to several persons
who we're close beside me, on form in front Of
the iuggler. AT sign from him, l not only
grasped the coin held firmly in my hand, but
crossing that hand with equal tlghtness with
my LEFT, enclosed both as firmly as l could
between nv knees. Of course | was positive
ly certain thar the small coin wss within my
double fists. The juggler then began sort of
incaDtation, accompanied By monotonous and
discordant kind of reeitative, and, repesting
the words, Ram, Summu, during some minutes.
He then suddenly stopped, aud, still keeping
bis seat made quick motion with his right
hand, as il throwing something at me, giving
at the same time puff with bis mouth, AZ
that instant felt mr. hands suddenly distend,
and become partly open, while experienced =
sensation 81 iE cold ball Of dough, or some
thing equally seft, nasty aad dlsagreeable, was
now between my palms. ! started to my feet
10 astonishmeUt, and also to the sstonlshment
of others, and opening niy hands, found there
no coin, but TO my horror, ard alarm (toT OF
all created things | detest and ioathe the genusl
I saw young snake, all alive, oh! and of all
snakes in the world, cobra-di-eapello, folded,
or rather coiIsd, rcundly up. j threw it in
stantly to the ground, trembling with rage and
fear, as if already biz by the deadly reptile,
which began Immediately to crawl along the
ground, to the alarm and amazement OF every
one present. The iuggleg now got up for the
first time since he set down, aud catching bold
OF the snake displayed It's length, which vas
nearly two feet two feet all 10 an iuoh and 8
half. He then took it cautiously BY the tail,
and opening bis mouth to its widest extent, let
the head of the snake drop into it, and delibeE-
stsly commenced to swallow the animal, ;ili the
end of the tail only was visible; then making
sudden gulp, the whole of the snake was ap-
parently swallowed. After this, ae came up
to the spectators and opening his mouth wide,
permitted US to look into his throat, but no
snake or snakes tail was visible; il was seem
ingly down his throat altogether. During the
remainder Of the performances, we never saw
this snake again, nor did the man profess his
ability to make it reappesr; but be performed
auotber snake trick, which surprised US very
much. He took from bag another cobrs-di-
capello, and, walking into the centre Of The
room, enclosed it in his hands in folded state.
lie waved or shook il for some time in this con-
dition, and then opened his fists, when, hey,
presto!-the sDake was gone, and in its place
appeared several small onas, which he suffered
to fall from his hands, when they glided, with
their peculiar undulating movement, almost
like the waves Of the sea, about the floor.
4. SwANWIoE.