The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-07-27
MI isCe1la N @ O u 9.
A French Wizard.

The most famous of magicians was the
late Robert Houdin. He was never excell-
ed, and seldom egualed in his calling. He
was we'll declared to be the prince of con-
jurors, for he elevated his occupation to a
profession, and was an able mathematician
and mechanician.
His ingenuity was unlimited, and it was
absolutely impossible to detect the secret
of his innumerable tricks and perform
ances. Without the least assistance he
would hold ali audience in delight and
amazement for hours, everything being
done with graceful facility which showed
that Houdin absolutely enjoyed his bust
ness. He taught his son many of his orr
ginal tricks, but never impaired them to
Others, while the secret of the most re-
markable performances has died with their
master, and no one can ever hope to repro
duce them.
Probably the first instance in which
conjuror has been called upon to exercise
his profession in government employ was
that of Houdin. He was sent to Algeria
by the French minister of foreign affairs
to exercise the black art in that benighted
country, hoping thus to destroy the in
f1uence exercised among the Arabs by the
Marabouts-an influence which was often
mischievously applied. By a few cunning,
yet clumsy tricks, these Marabouts passed
themselves off as sorcerers, and were held
in fear and veneration by the ignorant
tribes.
The French government desired to show
the Arabs that these would-be leaders
among them were mere imposters, and that
their pretended supernatural powers were
without the least foundation in truth
The best way to do this, it was thought,
would be to send one among them who
should eclipse their skill, and thus dis
credit their science and pretended powers.
1t was resolved to send Robert Houdin,
and the wizard was ordered to appear ut
the government office in Paris.
Houdin was a little puzzled to know
what the minister of foreign affairs could
want of him.
The plan and purpose of the government
were made known to him, and he entered
with spirit into the idea and its successful
application. With every facility and all
needed protection, Robert Houdin sailed
for Algeria to astonish the natives.
Arriving under such favorable auspices
he went at once to work upon the object
of his mission, and gaping crowds follow
ed him everywhere, thinking him to be in
spired. He succeeded in showing the
people that he could vanquish the famous
would-be prophets who had obtained such
control over the ignorant masses of the
population, and thus threw them into such
discredit that he succeeded in disarmine
them almost entirely of their influence.
Still, there was one of the Marabouts
whom he had not yet met, and who scoffed
at the reported power of this French wiz.
ard. A day was therefore appointed wher
the two should appear before the people
and each give evidence of their own pecu
liar powers.
One of the great pretensions of the Mar
about was to invulnerability. At til,
moment that loaded musket was fired a
him, and the trigger pulled, he pronounced
a few cabalistic words, and the weapon
would not GO off. Robert Houdin in
.stantly detected the trick, and showed tina
the touch-hole of the musket was CAREFUL,
plugged. This rendered the Arab conjur
or furious, and he, of course. abused hi
French rival without mercy.
Houdin was perfectly cool and said !:
"You are angry with me 2"
III am" said the Arab.
sand would be avenged ?"