Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-11-26
Publisher and Proprietor
EASTERN JUGGLERY.


Fanny Feudge, writing in Lippincott's 5
for December Of sOriental Sports,
says: Jugglery is another amusement
of which all Oriental nations are ex-
tremely fond. So numerous aud varied
are the feats practiced by the performers
in this line that Indian jugglery is
famous the world over, and their won
derful dexterity in all matters requiring
unusual slight OF hand has passed into a
universal proverb. A visit at the house
of wealthy Hindoo on the occasion of
his sons marriage gave me an oppor-
tunity of witnessing some OF their rarest
feats in this line. The wedding festivi-
ties comprised two whole weeks of ban
quets, PROFESSIONS and entertainments
Of all sorts, with most extrayagant dis
play Of jewels and torches, flowers aud
silks along the pathway Of the bridal
party, the whole costing, it is said, nearly
a iakh of rupees, or some $4,000 But
then the bridegroom was an only son,
and there is no other occasion on which
an Oriental will so layishly pour out his
wealth as the birth or marriage Of son.
During the day the time was divided be-
tween eating, dancing, theatrical exhi-
billions, coacerts, gambling and jugglery,
and at night there was always a brilliant
display OF fireworks while the festival
lasted. But of all, the jugglery was most
wonderful Grass seed was Rown before
our eyes, and in five minutes thereafter
beautiful green lawn of smooth-shaven
grass lay outspread at our feet. A tiny,
two o-leaved plant was handed us to look at;
we saw and felt it, and perceived that it
was genuine orange tree, having but
two imperfecty developed leaves, with
norton of the seed still adhGPing. in
half an hour we ate of mangoes plucked
apparently from this very tree, which
had seemed TO grow before our very
eyes till it lowered above our heads,
budded, blossomed and bore fruits that
turned from green to golden almost as
rapidly as they could be plucked and
eaten. A bronze basin of clear water,
which we had the privilege Of examin-
ing, was placed on standi and though
when we thrust in our hands, there was
found nothing but the water, in Q little
while a magnificent lotns or water-lily
sprang up therein, and lol its huge bios
SONS, pink,hued and fragrant, were be-
fore us mammoth flowers, eighteen
inches in diameteri The spectators
we're in ecstacy. Young and old, even
the natives, who had all seen the won
ders before, clspped their hands with
delight; only the magloiRn himself was
quiet and reticent. Presently he held
M a piece OF yellow tissue-papeT, per
hans six inches square, and after turn
ine il round and round in various posi-
tions he formed Of it quite a natural
looking butterfly wings and all. Holding
the butterfly, on his open palm, he so
arranged two wax.lights as to allow
him to wave a fan rapidly between
them without affecting the fiamei and
then by more gentle notion over the
insect he started it into apparent lite,
First. il moved slowly toward the fan, as
if testing its powers of loeomotion, then
tripped more lightly along the edge, and
finally bore away, wheeling and dipping
toward a vase OF flowers that stood near,
then floating away in very wantonness,
and presently returning, lighting and
among the dainty blossoms
like q thing OF life, the wings fairly
quiyering with excitement Jqsi then
mate was supplied to the lonely exoHr-
sionist by the same magic power that
had given the first its frail being; and
together the fairy tourists set forth on
their travels. Round and round they
wheeled and hoated, but always within
the charmed circle about the conJuror
head, sometimes iSiss.ng bis eheeks and
lips, together or singly alighpnS ~ iha
outspread fan or returning to hatter
among the flowers, then flirting and co
quoting with each other, putting their
hesds together in mutual caresses, and
shabing their gauzy wings with all the
pretty airs and RFaces of live frts. The
scene ended by the maeioisn taking a
small pearl box out Of his bosop, GIen-
ing it and holding il toward the butter
flies. They seemed 70 observe the downy
cotton with which the b0E vas lined, and
ia cireling curves they moved tOgard IT,
and crouched down, with wings still ont,
spread. upon the dainty ceueh prepared
for them, The iuggler closed the box at
once, aud as be did so we saw seated upon
the topa live canary that earoled iorth
sweet songs until its little throat seemed
Esedy 10 split, as il striving 10 eompen-
safe Co. she departure Of our butterfly
fayorites, s-d4enly the song Of JOY was
changed 10 piercing nales ttct betokened
horror or alarm, aud We saw al sac cep-
Jurors feet a deadly cobra al capella,
cOiled as IL for q spring, and with its
differing eyes fixed on the bird, that
sees,ea spellb1Dnd TO the spot, either too
fFighfensd OF tascinlfed TO move. The
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