The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-02-24
The Pope and the Coniurer.

when Iorrini, the magician. hai been
giving exhibitions in the principal italian
! cities, at the beginning of the present cen
Jury, he decided to go to Rome, in the hope
that the patronage of his holiness the Pope
would give ectdt TO his reputation. In This
he was not disappointed. Plus VII, who
was then the reigning pontiff, having heard
of his performances, did him the honor to
command his attendance at the Vatican. Be-
ing informed that his audience a, this exhitr-
tlon would comprise all the dignitaries OF the
Church, the magician devoted unusual care
to the selection of his tricks: but, after fix
ing on his best ones, vainly racked his brain
to invent something worthy of ms ilustri-
Gus spectators.
While he was thus perplexed, chance
threw IN his way the means of accomplish
ing his object. Happening to be in the
shop of one of the best watch-makers in
Rome the day before that fixed for the per
formance, he heard lackey, in rich scarlet
livery, who had just come in, asked if his
eminence the CARDINAL de---'s watch was
repaired.
1T will not be ready till this evening, :"
replied the matchmaker, land l will do
myself the honor of personally carrying il
TO your master"
After the servant had gone the trades
man said to Torrini:
''This is superb watch. His eminence
the cardinal to whom it belongs values it at
more than ten thousand francs; for, as it
was made to his order by the celebrated
Breguet, he naturally suppose it to he
unique of its kind. Curiously enough, how
ever it is only two days ago that a young
fellow belonging to this ty offered me n
precisely similar watch, made by the same
| artist, for one thousand francs"
These words made an impression on Tor
rini, who, having formed plan of opera
tions. said to the matchmaker:
''Do you think this person is still DESTROYS
to dispose OF his watch9"
81 have no doubt of it," was the reply.
''He is young prodigal, who, having 81 ent
all his fortune, is now obliged to sell his
family jewels, and will be glad to obtain a
thousand francs"
But can he be found?"
Easily enough-iu a gaming house,
where he passes all his time.'
''Well," said the magician, 81 wish to
procure the watch but cannot wait longer
thar to-day. Please buy 1t for me as soon
as possible, and eDgravc on it his eminence's
arms, so that there shall be precise resem-
blence between the two watches, and your
profit shall be proportioned to the discretion
Will WHlCu YOU COuuuCC Tie lTaQSdCClOn.
The matchmaker, who knew Torrini,
probably suspected his object in seeking
possession of the watch, but being aware
that the magician's discreet management
would be assured by its necessity to his sue
cess, had no hesitation in complying with
his request.
ut will only take quarter of an hour to
go to the gaming house, ard | am confident
of being able to procure it for you"
In less than the time named the dealer
came back with the chronometer in his
hand.
Here it ISL he exclaimed with an air
of triumph. My man welcomed me as "a
providential visitor, and was so eager to
dispose of his watch that he gave it to me
without counting the money. Everything
shall be ready for you tonight"
That evening the matchmaker brought
the TWO chronometers to Torrini, who, after
careful comparison, was unable to detect
any difference between them. The magician
now felt confident of making decided hit
with his trick, the preparations for which
were already expensive.
The next day he went to the pon.iff's
palace ana, at signal given by his holi-
ness, came upon the stage. Though Torrini
had appeared before crowned heads, he had
himself, in large arm chair on dais, while
near him were seated the cardinals, and be-
hind them were the various prelates and
dignitaries of the Church. The nervous
ness that the performer naturally eXpe-
rienced in the presence of such personages
was allayed by the benevolent expression
on the face of the Pope. Reassured by his
kindly glances, Torrini commenced:
'tHoly father" he said, bowing respect
fully, 81 am about 20 show you some eXper-
iments to which the name of white magic
has been most unjustly given. This title
was invented by charlatans to impress the
multitude, but it only signifies q collection
of clever deceptions, ingeniously coptrived
to amuse the imagination"
Pleased with the favorable reception of
his address, Torrini commenced his per-
formance in excellent spirits, which were
increased by the 't1attering compliments of
the Pope. In one of his tricks-that of the
burnt writing which consists of a sentence
or two written by one of the company, who,
after burning the paper, discovers 1t intact
in sealed envclOpe-he had the satisfac-
tion of procuring an autograph from his
! holiness On being solicited to write a SEN
tence, Plus VII. indited the following:
Il have mt ch pleasure in stating that
I
! The paper was burned, Ad the skill with
which 1t was made to appear ill a sealed en-
velope was appreciated by the Pope, who
gsve the conjurer permission to keep his
autograph. 1t was now time to end the
performance with the trick which the artist
had invented for the occasion to crown his
exploits. Among the difficulties that he
had to contend with, the greatest was to
obtain the cardinals watch without direct
| ly asking for it. To overcome this he had
recourse to ruse. Requesting the loan
of Il watch from the company, several were
handed to him, which he returned with the
excuse, not without truth, that none oi
them had any popularity of shape thai
would make 1T easy to identify the one Sc
lecteG. He then said:
''If any gentleman among you has &
watch of rather large size (this was the pc
culiarity IF the cardinal's) he will confer
great favor by lending it to me, as it viii
greatly facilitate my experiment. l neec
not say that will be extremely careful o.
it. My object is to prove its superiority, i
it has any, and, if not, to wonderfully i'm
prove it..
All eyes were now turned upon the car
dinal, who, as was we'll known, priced hi
chronometer on account of its unusual size
|
works to act more freely. He hesitated
however. to part with his treasure till Piu
VII SAID to him:
Cardinal. l fancy your watch will sui
exactly; oblige me by handing it to Signo
Torrini."
His eminence complied, though not with
out numerous precautions. When the watcl
was handed TO him Torrini assumed TO b.
absorbed in admiration of the works anC
beautiful chasing, to which he drew the at
tention of the POpe'and the cardinals. II
then asked the owner some questions, whic
elected the high estimation in which tn
cardinal held his chronometer, which ha'
been made to his order by the celebrates
Breguet. The enthusiasm of his emiDenc
amused the Pope, who looked on attentivel
as Torrini, after saying that he should prov
I the solidity and excellent qualities of tn
lo1 - fal ka 4