The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-05-03
el0us Exploits Of an Italian in
81. Petersburg.

q lAQ0C AiAo eAPpNesA
ance at st. Petersburg, who astonished
the natives by his marvellous perform
ance. His name was Pirnetti, and his
fame is yet in the memory of those who
witnessed his unrivalled talents.
The Gar Alexander, having heard
Pirnetti much spoken OF, was DESTROYS of
seeing him, and one day it was an
nounced to the conjurer that he would
have the honor of giving a representa-
ton of his magical powers at court, the
hour fixed for him to make his appear
ance being z o'clock. A brilliant as
sembly of ladies and courtiers, presided
over by the Car, had met, but the con-
juror was absent. Surprised and dis
pleased, the Car pulled out his watch,
which indicated five minutes after
seven. Pirnetti had not only failed in
being in waiting, but he had caused the
court to wait, and Alexander was not
more patient than Louis XIV. Aquar-
ter of an hour passed, half an hour, and
no Pirnetti. Messengers who had
been i'm search of him returned unsuc-
cessful. The anger of the Car, with
difficulty restrained, displayed itself in
threatening ordinations. AT length,
after the lapse of an hour, the door of
the saloon opened, and the gentlemen
of the chamber announced Pirnetti,
who presented himself with calm
front and the serenity of one who had
done nothing to reproach himself with.
The Car, however, was greatly dis
pleased; but Pirnetti assumed an air of
establishment, and replied with cool
ness:
"Did not your majesty command my
presence at seven O'Clock precisely"
"Just sou exclaimed the Car, at
the height of evaporation.
"Well, then," said Pirnetti, "let
your Majesty deign to look at your
watch, and you will perceive that am
exact, and that it is just O'clock"
The Car, pulling out his watch vio-
lenuy, in order to confound what he
considered piece of downright inso-
lence, was completely amazed. The
watch marked o'clock In turn all
the courtiers drew out their watches,
which were found, as usual, exactly re-
gulated by that of the sovereign. Seven
o'clock! indicated with a common ac-
cord by all the watches and clocks in
the palace. The art of the magician
was at once manifest in this strange
retrogression i'm the march of time. To
anger succeeded establishment and adj
miration. Perceiving that the Gar
smiled, Pirnetti thus addressed him:
"YOur Majesty will pardon me. 1t
was by the performance of this trick
that was DESTROYS of making my first
appearance before you. But / know
how precious truth is at court; it is at
least necessary that your watch should
tell it to you, sire. If you consult a
now, you will find that il marks the real
time
The Gar again drew forth his watch
lit pointed to few minutes past eight;
the same reflection had taken place in
all the watches of those present, and
the clocks of the palace. This exploit
was followed by Others equally amusing
and surprising. At the close of the
performance, the Gar, after having
complimented Pirnetti, brought back
to his remembrance that, in the course
of the evenings amusements, he had
declared that such was the power of his
art that he could penetrate everywhere.
AYES, sire, everywhere, replied the
conjuror, with modest assurance.
"What!n exclaimed the Gar,
"could you penetrate even into this
palace were / to order all the doors
to he closed and guarded?"
"IntO this palace, sire, or even into
the apartment of your majesty, quite rs
easily as / should enter into my own
house." said Pirnetti.
"Well, then, said the Gar, "at mid
day tomorrow shall have ready in
my closet the price of this evenings
tIo,,.onI
Come and get them. But / forwarn
you that the doors shall be closed and
carefully guarded"
"To-morrow at midday shall have
the honor of presenting myself before
your majesty" replied Pirnetti, who
bowed and withdrew.
The gentleman of the house followed
the conjurOr to make sure that he quit
ted the place; they accompanied him
TO his lodgings, and a number of police
surrounded the dwelling from the mo-
ment he entered it. The palace was
instantly closed, with positive orders
not to suffer, under any preteXt what
ever, any one to enter until the ear
himself should command the doors to
be opened. These orders We're strictly
enforced, confidential persons having
watched their execution. The exterior
openings to the palace were were guard
ed by the soldiery. All the approaches
to the palace were protected 10y high
dignitaries, whom a simple professor of
the art of legerdemain possessed no
means of bribing. In short, for greater
security, all the keys had been carried
into the Imperial Cabinet. A few min
utes previous to the hour fixed for Pr
netti's interview with the Gar, the
chamberlain on service brought to His
Majesty a dispatch which messenger
had handed him through an opening in
the door. 1t was report from the
Minister of Police that Pirnetti had not
left home. "Aha!" he has found out
that the undertaking is impracticable
and has abandoned it,n observed the
Car with smile.
Twelve o'clock sounded. While the
last stroke yet reverberated, the door
which communicated from the bed
room of the Car to the cabinet opened,
and Pirnetti appeared. The Car drew
back a couple of PAGES, his brow dark
ened, and, after a momentary silence,
he said: "Are you aware that you may
become very dangerous individual?"
ayes, SIRE" he replied; "but / am
only an humble conjuror, with no am
bition save that of amusing your ma
jesty."
"Here," said the Car, "are the
thousand rubles for last night, and a
thousand for this days visit.
Pirnetti, i'm offering his thanks, was
interrupted by the Gar, who, with a
thoughtful air inquired of him, "Do
you count on yet remaining some time
i'm st. Petersburg?n
"Sire," he replied, ~ intend setting
off this week, unless your majesty or
ders prolongation of my sojourn.n
"No," hastily replied the Gar, ait
is not my intention TO detain you; and,
moreover" continued he with a smile,
81 should vainly endeavor to keep you
against your will. You know how to
leave st. Petersburg as easily as you
found your way into this palace"
81 could do so, sire" said Pirnetti;
"but, far from wishing to quit st.
Petersburg stealthily or mysteriously,
1 am DESTROYS of quitting ii in the most
public manner possible, 10y giving to
tho inhabitants of your capital n most
striking example of my magical
powers.n
Pirnetti could not leave like or
binary individual; it was necessary
that he should crown his SUCCESS i'm the
Russian capital by something surpass-
IL. n,