, 1861-03-15
MarFclo0x FcHfs of an. INDIAN Taaof.
G1an-A Brasa Coin Changed into n
Living Serpent. -

Marvellous FcRfs of an, Indian 3Tarf.
Saan-A Brass Coin Changed into a
The fort at Calcutta {writcs an English off.
Ger in once-d- {Eeek,) commonly known as Fort
William, is one Of the most splendid and con
venlent military establishments to be found
IN any quarter Of the globe It is epacjous
aud somewhat resembles the Tower Of Lon
don, in that it consists Of various streets and
squares adapted for different military purpo.
ees On all sides it is guarded by 4 lieh and
strongly built rampant, which is surrounded in
It's turn By broad and deep fosse, orer which
are placed drawbridges leading to the principal
gateWayE. Arrived in Calcutta, raw griffin.
Of course 7 went to inspect the lions, and
among others the fort.
The fort is often the scene Of animated fes-
tfyity, from the presence Of native iueglcrs.
renowned for their surprising skin and dex,,
tcrity. The performances Of these strange
people have been SO often described, that
shall only mention q few, for otherwise I
might tire the reader One Of them struck
me MS being curious, from its having strong
resemblance to the feasts recorded n sacred
history, az having been performed by tile ma
g1clans Of Egypt, i'll the time OF Moses, and III
presence of Pharaoh. Indeed, as it is well
known that the Hindoo tricks have been hand
ed down from the most distant ares, from
father to son, there is little wonder That such
sinlilariti can exist. The particular trick
ailuded to is the apparent conversion Of brass
coin into snake.
Thejnggglcr, gave me- the coin to hold and then
seated himself about five yards from ME on a
small rug, from which he never attempted to
move during the whole performance. Ishowed
1nc coin to several persons who we're close be-
sioe me, on form in front Of the jugg|er. At
. sign from him, not only grasped the coin
hcld firmly in my right hand, but crossing
mat hand with equal tlShtncss with nv left, /
mi T 1,r
tween my knees. OF course Twas positively
certain that tue small coin was within nv
double lists. The juggler then began short
lncantat1on, accompanied BY monotonous
aud dlscordant kind Of recitatiye, and repeat
ing the words, "Ram Sammu during some
keeping his seat, made quick motion with
hls hand, as 1t Throwing something at me, Civ
Ing, at the same time, puff With his mouth
At that instant I felt my hands suddenly dis
tend, and become partly open, while expo
neneed sensation us if a cold ball OF dough-,
er something equally soft, nasty and disagree
able, was now between my palms.
started to my feet In astonishment Of 9TH
ers, aud opening my hands, found there no
coin; bnt, to my horror and alarm, {for Of au
cFeated things detest and loathe the gor.,,,
saw young snake, au alivc-ohl and ~ I'll !
SNAKES ~ me world, co1ra-1i 1i-capello, folded.
or 1ata rather eolied, ro.enaly up. I threw It in
g. SAo4uu, lIELl0nnF With rage and
1ear, as il already bit by the deadly renti1e
Wh.e1 negan Immediately to crawl along The
ground, to the alarm and amazemert Of eyerv
one present. The juggler now GOT I'M for
me nIst time since be sat down. and catch-
j: ing hold of the snake. dieplayed i,s
: length, which WAS nearly two feet-tWo neet
all b9t IN inch and half lie then Tank #
cautiously 6y the TAIL and opening his own
mouth to its widest extent, let the head Of H..
snake drop into it, deliberately commenced to to
swallow the animal, till. the end Of thc tai
vas only visible; then making sudden gnl1,.
the whole Of the snake was apparently swaI'
lowed After this he came IN to he snecta,
to1s, and opening his mouth wide permitted Us
to look into his throat, bat no snake or snakes
tall was Vlsible-it was seemingly down his
throat altogether. During the Remainder If
the performances We never saw thjs shaEa
again, nor did the man profess his ability to
make it re-appea7. But he performed anoiher
SNAKE rF1ek which surprised us yery much. H.
1Qok IRON. bag another cobra, d. capello. rnS
walking into the center Of the room. inc1osrd
it in bis hands In a folded state IA waved ~
shook them for come time in this cont,it;on
and then opened his fists, when, hey! rrcstnl
The snake was gone, and in its place appear
Cd several small ones, which be s4ffgred ta fa,1
from his hands, when they glided. With the;r
peculiar undulating movement, almost 1ike
Inc "aFes OF the sea, across the hoor.