The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-10-25
Robert H0udin.

The most famous of magicians was
the late Robert Houdin. He was never
excelled, and seldom equalled, in his
calling. He was well declared to be
the prince of conjurors, for he elevated
his profession, and was an able mathe-
matician and mechanician.
His ingenuity was unlimited, and it
was absolutely impossible to detect the
secret of his innumerable tricks and
performances Without the least as
sistance he would hold an audience in
delight and amazement for hours,
everything being done with a graceful
facility which showed that Houdin abb
solutely enjoyed his business. He
taught his son many of his original
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 reproduce them.
Probably the first instance in which
conjuror has been called upon to ex-
ercise his profession in Government
employ was that of Robert 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 influence ex-
ercised among the Arabs by the Mara
bouts-an influence which was often
mischievously applied. By few cum
ming, yet clumsy tricks. these Mara
bouts passed themselves off as sorcer-
ers, and were held in fear and venera-
ton by the ignorant tribes. The French
Government desired to show the Arabs
that these would-be leaders among them
were mere impostors, 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 pow
ers. 1t was resolved to send Robert
Houdin, and the wizard was ordered to
appear at the Government Office in
Paris forthwith.
Houdin was little puzzled to know
what the Minister could want with him.
The'plan and purpose of the Govern
ment were made known to him, and he
entered with spirit into the idea and its
successful application. With every ia
cility and all needed protection, Hou-
din sailed for Algeria to astonish the
natives.
Arriving under favorable auspices, he
went at once to work upon the object
of his mission, and gaping crowds fol-
lowed him everywhere, thinking him
inspired. He succeeded in showing the
people that he could vanquish the
famous prophets, who had obtained
such control over the ignorant masses
of the population, and thus threw them
into such discredit that he succeeded in
disarming them almost entirely Of their
influence.
Still, there was one of the Marabouts
whom he had not yet met, and who
scofed at the reported powers Of this
French wizard. A day was therefore
appointed when the two should appear
before the people, and each give evi-
dence Of his own peculiar powers.
One Of the great pretensions Of the
Marabout was to invulnerability. Al
the moment that loaded musket was
pointed at him and the trigger pulled
lie pronounced few cabalistic words,
and tie weapon would not 60 of. H0u-
din instantly detected the trick, and
showed that the touch-hole Of the mus
ket was carefully plugged. This ron.
dered the Arab c6njuror furious; and
he, ol conrse ahassa bic French rival