Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-02-16
ANECDOTES OF PITT.

his Cabinet work good deal exhausted and
required port wluc, OF which he generally drank
a bottle during dlnuer in a rapid succession OF
glasses; but as suop.as this stimulus restored
his strength he drank no more. HIS couVersa-
ton then became gay, good natured aud hu
morous, and he would tell all sorts OF amusing
stories; some of them about the colonel OF Ma
piers regiment the Forty-third. This was
General Smith, an uncle Of Sir Sidney; and
certainly humorlst> as appeared by stories
Mr. Pitt used to tell Of him.
One was, that during the fears produced by
the apprehension of the French invasion, the
general sent by extraordinary express parcel
supposed to contain important news, but which
turned out to be the nlghtcap OF member OF
the Government, who had left it behind when
on visit to the general. Another story was
that, when he commanded on the south coast,
he sent dispatch to Pit announcing that two
French ships were then actually landing troops
III three places
Mr. PITT liked practical fun, and used to en-
courage it. One instance, which Napier gives,
shows Pitt 10 point OF view singular, and lit
tie to be anticipated OF so generally solemn
pcrsorage. They-Lady Hester, James Stan
nope aud Napicr-had resolved to blackcn his
face with burnt cork, which he most strenuous
H. resisted Early 10 the fray, servant an
nvunccd that Lord Castereagh and Lord Llv-
crpool had called desiring to see him on im-
pur,aut business. Let them wait 10 the outer
room, said the great minister, instantly re-
turning to the battle, catching up cushion
aud bvlaboring his attackers, who proved too
many for him, and after prolonged struggle
20; him down, and began daubiDg his face
when, with a look OF we'll assumed conf
dcnce in his powers of still resisting, he
said: Stop; this won't do; | could easily
III e,,kr l-oo, -,
graldces waiting any logger" so they
were obliged to get towel and basin Of
water to wash him clean before he received the
grandces. Being thus made decent, the basin
was hid behiud the sofa, and the two lords ush-
cred iu. Then sudden change and entrely new
phase OF manner appeared, to Napier's great
surprise and admiration.
Lord Llverpools manner was, as usual, mean
looking, bending, nervous and altogether pittul.
Lord Castlercagh Napier said he had we'll
kuowu from his childhood; had often been en-
gagged with him in such athcletic sports as
pitching the stone bar, and so on; and he
looked upon him as a model Of calm grace COM
bined with great strength. What then, was
his surprise when he saw. both him and Lord
Liverpool humbly bending as they approached
the mau who had SO recently been matreated
with such an excess OF fun
But it was Mr.. Pitts sudden change Of man
ner aud look which most entirely fixed his at
tentiou. His tall, ungaioIy, bony figure seemed
to grow up to the cciling-his head thrown
as if gazing into the heavens, and totally re-
gardless OF the two bending figures before him.
For sometime they spoke, and he made now
and then short observation; but finally, with
au abrupt stiff inclination of his body, but
without casting his eyes down, dismissed them
Aud then, turning round with laugh, caught
up his cushion and renewed the fight.
Napier described to me another instance of
what he called Mr.. Pitt 5 power of counteuauce.
Some time after the visit TO Putney, while
waking across the parade ground Of the Horse
Guards, be saw Mr.. Pitt talking to some gen.
tlcmen, evidently upon business which inter
csicd him; Napier caught his eye, while still
some forty yards distant Pitt gave, him a
>lnlle and nod Of recognition, but on Napier
aIvaucing toward him, his couuteuauce as.
>umcd commanding fercencss of expression
difficult to describe, but unmistakaby saying,
la>s ou, this Is no time for toolery. "-LOrd
Bronyhams -1mot'oUuphU
Irr LIVING PENNY. Some one has been
advertising an usiuuating trick called the
lLvltg Penny" and giving directions as to
ieu>ion. The secret OF this is explained.
1t is simply an optical illusion, aided by the
skill of the performer. You will observe there
ha har, one end of which is attaced to the
lcuuy with small piece of beeswax; the other
cid must be attached to the button hole OF the
Vest by tying; then you are ready to perform
lhc performer should avoid standing with
strong light cast upon his movements. Try
aud arrange it SO that the shadow of your body
Will be thrown upon them, when it will be al
most Impossible to detect the hair, and particu
larry In the evening, which is the best time to
cAhhitit
10 make the penny crawl over your hand
lr>l take 1t in your right hand, and place it
UPON The back OF your left, near the ends Of
Your fingers, wax side down, being careful not
% mlscacuiate the length of play of the hair
ana 50 break 1t; then with the right hand make
lew mysterious movements, accompanied With
chrplng WHISTLE for effect only, and slowy
lA'He The left hand away from you, when the
penny will appear to be running toward you,
Willie III reality it is deception of the optical
organs, as 1t is the hand which moves while the
~ crawl from tumbler drop it carefully down
tie inclined side, to avoid its turning aud ex-
p'>nS the wax; then operate as before, by
1''In:; the tumblcr from you slowly. lit.
,e practice will suggest to you hundred
alhG>ius aud mysterious tricks to be performed
,,n ~"H IT. \ little dexterity is required in at
Ii'Ni's the wax to the penny without being
J'>:FVed; Also removing it, when spectator
1s>'Fe> TO examine the penny. A slight pres
G >nG with the tore6nger will attach it, and a
,lSht scrape with the Hail will remove it. Al
sH.Vush the trick may seem simple to you at
J,'' you will find, upon performing it, (if it is
aouc dexterously,) it will cause the utmost
"V0-eF aud astonishment to the spectator.
i CST OPENED
R,..,. BLACK ALRACAS,