Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-11-05
X. WrIHTMORE,
Publisher and Proprietor.
EAST INDIAN MAGIC.

charming On th1 HANKS Of the In
dus.
A very curious case was lately reported
N an American newspaper OF snake
charming boy | will now give you an
account Of a snake.charming operation
in the East Indies, which came under
my own observation, in which case a
man charmed the snakes, the number Of
snakes affected upon which occasion, as
well as the death dealing power of the
reptiles, making the case u notable one.
Some time after servant OF mine had
died of the bite of cobra, being in the
neighborhood af Attock, on the banks Of
the Indus, when visiting some Hindoo
temples in the vicinity, | met a worship
per named Mean Raj who applied fre-
quently to the officiating Fakir, or
priest, for deliverance from a plague OF
cobra snakes which infested a plot OF
ground belonging to him to such degree
that his servants were unwilling to labor
upon it, especially as most Of them went
barefoot. The church failing to help
him, his dosts, or friends, recommended
him to apply to the charmers. Tnis he
did by seeking the services of one Nun.
gul Deen, who ayowed his readiness to
coax the snakes out of their holes TO their
death as effectually as St. Patrick said
to have done in Ireland.
may here mention that snake charm
ers are magicans in the East, aud a
separate caste or class by themselves.
The word caste throughout India de.
notes the particular calling to which an
individual belongs. Eastern charmers
or magicians are found frequently TO be
of the Brahminical or priest caste, which
is the highest order, in consequence oil
its connection with the Hindoo religion
and its mysteries. The order OF Brah.
minis wear a string over the shoulder, to
distinguish them. This string which is
OF peculiar construction and difficult oil
imitation, is conferred and placed on
the body in infancy, with much religious
ceremony attending the operation. Such
snake-charmers as belong to this caste
wear the sacred string Eastern charm
ers are nomadic in their habits, wander
ing over India in every direction. Like
the priests, they lead lives of celbacy. OF
at least pretend to do so. The Indian
magicians appear TO be thriving class
of men, content if they can only show
their fellow-mortals their mystical powers
and gain a living. On the occasion OIL
which | write, sort of grand stand
composed Of wooden steps, arranged
one above the other, had been erected
from WHICH 10 view the operation o.
charming the snakes,
Mungul Deem, the charmer, was fat
middle aged man, with intellectual coun
tenance and sparkling eye. He wore q
mustache, but no beard, which seems to
be peculiarly affected by the Mahomme
dams. Mungul had the light, copper
colored complexion which obtains
among the natives of the Upper Pun
jaub, in strong contrsstto the coal-blacA
hue of the natives of Lower Bengal
His dress was freely decorated with al
sorts Of signs, including snakes of every
form and size, was of white linen and
scrupulously well adjusted, from the be-
coming turban downwards.
Everything being pronounced ready
by Mungul, he first lighted q small FIRE
into which he threw something which
| flashed up with blue blaze, and ther
the fire was allowed quickly to die out
he then vent fearlessly all over the
snake-infested ground, distributing as
he walked some sort Of powder, the ma
ture of which was known only to him
SELF after which he seated himself on
terra firma, singing the inevitable "tum
tum' around his neck, and holding al
instrument in bis hand which emitted Q
sound when played upon, very much like
that Of bag-pipe.
The spectators, who we're natives eX
oept myself and two gentlemen named
Harrison and Ball, who were travelling
in India for their pleasure, showed theil
appreciation Of the music by occasiona
howls of delight. Mupgpl coBseerateC
his instrument, throwing up his arms
and then began bis music witha wild dis
cordant air. Not q snRke had been seer
as yet, but as soon 90 whRt | may cal
the concert had fairly opened. snakes
swarmed from all sides with heads eFeo
and hoods expanded. After awhile q
large eopcourse Of snakes, some hun
dreds in numbnr, could be seen twisting
and turning on their tailg 20 where Nun
gul Deem sat tum-tumming Gng pipinl
as unconcerned as if he were receiving
visits from the doves Of Paradise, insteaC
of the deadly enemies Of mankind, Tn,
only change noticeable in him was tina
he moved his head continually ss il sa
flaming to the snakes. At last, when
very large company Of cobras was gath
! cred round the magician, and many al
anxious fear was expressed by the look
ers,on, lest he should be stung TO death
1t was apparent that he very psrceptibl.
I changed the strain Of his rude mnsi