The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1874-11-18
More Wonderful than Spiritual Man
ifestatfOnS.

One Of the most adroit jugglers of
the present age Was Robert Houdin,
a Frenchman, who for many years
gave fashionable entertainments in
Paris. Houdin wrote his autobiogra-
ply, and related many curious feats
performed by him in his professional
career. On one occasion he was in
vited to display his art before King
chateau of st. Cloud. Houdin invent
ed q trick especially for this royal and
noble assemblage, and received un-
bounded applause for his success. He
borrowed from the King and his cour-
tiers six handkerchiefs, which he
made into parcel and laid on the ta-
BILE. Then, at his request, different
persons wrote on cards the name of
the place whittier they desired the
handkerchiefs to be invisibly trans
sported, When this was done he beg
ged the King to take three of the
cards at hazard and choose from them
the place he might consider the most
! suitable. Let me see" said Louis
Philippe, what this one says Il
| desire the handkerchiefs to be found
beneath one of the candelebra on the
mantlepiece." "Ah! that's too easy for
a sorcerer, SO We, we will pass on to the
next card" 'The handkerchiefs are
to be transported to the dome of the
Invalides. THAT would suit us but
it is much too far-not for the hand
kerchiefs, but for US. All! ah!' the
King added, as he looked at the last
card, Il am afraid, Monsieur Robert
Houdin, l am about to embarrass you.
Do you know what this card propo-
ses?" Houdin, with respectful bow,
declared that he did not. "Well,"
responded His Majesty, 1T is desired
that you send the handkerchiefs to a
spot between the roots of the last
orange tree on the right of the avenue
of St. Cloud" Houdin affected the
greatest nonchalence. Only that,
sire" he said. "Deign to order. and
| will obey" The King gave certain
directions in low voice, and immedi-
ately number of his attendants hur-
ried off to the orange tree to watcl, it,
He then said: Il select the orange
tree" Houdin's first business now
was to send the handkerchiefs on their
travels. So he placed them beneath a
bell of opaque glass. and taking his
wand ordered them to fly to the spot
the King had chosen. He raised the
bell, the little parcel was no longer
there, and white turtle dove had ta-
ken its place. The King then walked
quickly to the door, whence he looked
in the direction of the orange tree to
assure himself that the guards were
there, when this was done he began to
smile and shrug his shoulders. "Ah!
Monsieur Robert Houdin, he said,
ironically, Il fear much for the virtue
of your magic staff" Then he added,
as he returned to the end OF the room,
where several servants were standing,
"Tell William to dig Immediately be-
low the last tree at the end of the ave-
nue. and bring me carefully what he
finds there-if he does find anything
The attendant proceeded to the orange
tree. The earth at the side of the
tree was carefully removed, and down
among the roots, after much cropping,
small iron box, eaten with rust, was
found. 1t bore every appearance OF
having been in the ground many years
, This curious find was cleansed
from its mold and brought in, and
placed by the side of the King. Tie
greatest excitement and impatience
prevailed on all sides. Houdin
brought, perched on his finger, the
dove to the King, and around its neck
: His Majesty discovered a little rusty
J key. At the desire of the conjurer
he unloosed it and opened the box
The first object that met his eve was
time .discolored piece of parchment
, upon which he read: "This day, 9th
OF June, l7S6, this iron box, contain
: ing six handkerchiefs, was placed
: among the roots of an orange tree by
8 me, Balsamo, Count of Cagliostro, tt
serve in performing an act of magic
t which will be executed on the same
e day sixty years hence, before Louis
e Philippe, of Orleans, and his family.
e There is certainly witchcraft abou
: this cried the King, and then h
/ looked again and found in the bottom
r of the box a parcel sealed with tn,
well-known seal of the famous Cagli
e Ostro. He broke it and opened tn
e parcel, and there were the six hand
o kerchiefs which but five minutes be
: fore were lying on the conjuror's ia
a BILE. Was not this trick as remarka
$ BILE as the producing of Katie King
: from dark cabinet.
e Houdln was employed by the Frencl
e Government to 60 to Algiers on
n novel mission. The Marabout priest
r exercised great authority over tn
d natives, because they were liable t
h perform certain feats of jugglery
II which they pretended proved their di
r vine power. These Marabouts wer
if enemies of the French, and encour
u aged turbulence among the Arab.
# The Government thought that
IL might be a good stroke of policy
:e send Houdin through the colony pei
o forming his miracles, and demonstra
a ting to the natives that French sol
le cerer was greater than an Arab sol
cerer. Accordingly Houdin appear
n ed before large audiences, beginnin
a in the city Of Algeria. At the first {
lie box that became heavy or light at HI
lie order. This box was brought by hill
N to the footlights, and while holding
ID in his hands he declared to his heal
'r ers that he possessed the power to de-
le prive the most powerful man Of h
l. strength and restore it at will II
N invited any one who thought himse
a. strong enough to come on the stag
An Arab of middle height, but we
ID built and muscular. came to his sic
ct with great assurance. "Arel yo
m strong?" asked Houdin, measurir
lie him from head to foot. "Oh, yes
to he replied carelessly. Are you sui
to that you will always remain so!
d, Quite sure.s You are mistaken
~ said Houdin; ''for an instant l wi
IS, rob you. Of your strength, and yo
n shall become as little child" tt
$ Arab smiled disdainfully Houdi
is told him to lift the box He stoope
I'd and lifted it without any effort, an
o. said c0ldly: "Is that alp" With q