Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1877-08-04
The Charmers of Hindostan.

i've III Ine SILENCE OF the pagodas per-
form feats far surprising the prestid-
igitations of Robert Houdin, and there
are so many others who produce the
most curious phenomena in magnet
ism and catalepsy upon the first OBJ
Ject that comes across their way, that
have often wondered whether the
Brahmins with their occult scienc ces
have not made great discoveries in
the questions which have recently
been agitated in Europe.
On one occasion, while I and others
We're in a cafe with Sir Maswell, he
ordered his debochy to introduce the
charmer. In a few moments a lean
Hindoo, almost naked, with an ascetic
face and bronze color, entered.
Around his neck, arms and body were
coiled serpents of different sizes.
After saluting US. he said:
Heaven be with you; I am Chibh
Chondor, son of Chibh- -Gontnalh
Mava."
"We.desire to see what you can do, -
said our host.
Il obey the orders of silva, who has
sent me here" replied the fakir,
squatting down upon one OF the mar
bic slabs.
They raised their heads and hissed,
but without showing any anger. Then
taking a small pipe attached to a
wick in his hair, he produced scarcely
audible sounds, initiating the tail
apaca, bird that feeds upon bruised
| cocoanuts.
Here the serpents uncoiled them
selves, and one after another glided to
the floor. AS soon as they touched
the ground they raised about one
third of their bodies, and began to
keep time to their masters music.
Suddenly the fakir dropped his in-
strument and made several passes with
his hands over the serpents; his yes
assumed a strange expression; we all
felt an undefnable uneasiness, and
sought to turn away our gaze from
him.
At this moment small brazier for
lighting cigars, yielded to his in
huence, lay down, and fell asleep.
Five minutes passed thus, and we felt
that if the manipulations were to con-
tinue few seconds longer, we should
all fall asleep.
Chondor then arose, and came and
offered fire to its master. 1t was
pinched and pulled about, till there
was no doubt Of its being actually
asleep. Nor would it move from Sir
Maswell's s side till ordered to do SO
by the fakir.
We then examined the other cob
ras. Paralyzed by magnetic influence
they lay at full length on the ground.
On taking them up We found them
stiff as sticks; they were in state of
complete catalepsy. The fakir then
awakened them, and they returned
and coiled themselves around his
body.
On our asking if he could make US
feel his influence, he made few
passes over our legs, and instantly we
lost all use of these limbs; we could
not leave our seats. He then releas-
ed us as easily as he had paralyzed US.
Chibh Chondor closed his seance by
experimenting upon inanimate objects.
By mere passes with his hands in the
direction Of the object to be acted
upon, and without leaving his seat,
he paled and extinguished lights in
the furthest parts Of the room, moved
the furniture, including the divans on
which we sat, opened and closed doors.
Catching sight of Hindoo who
was drawing water from well in the
garden, he made pass in his direc-
ton, and the rope stopped in its de-
scent, resisting all the efforts of the
astonished gardener. With another
pass the rope again descended.
do you employ the means in ac-
ting upon inanimate objects that you
do upon living creatures?' asked.
81 have only one MEANS" he re-
piled.
What is it p
"The will. Man, who is the result
OF all intellectual and material forces
must dominate over all. The Brah-
Minis know nothing beside this"
THE great source of calamity lies in
regret or anticipation. He, therefore,
is most wise who thinks of the present