San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-10-26
CONJURERS OF OLD.
from the Boston Herald. ]

The medium of the present day bears
aaloser resemblance, in methods and
uanipulations, to the well-known con-
Juror of history than any other repre-
sentative of the magic art. How far
short he still remains of the perfor-
mances of his prototypes is illustrated
below. In 1915 delegation of highly
educated and distinguished men from
the English East India company visited
the Emperor Jehangire. While on their
mission they witnessed many most Won
tlerful performances, almost causing
them to discredit their senses, and far
beyond any hint even of solution. A
marty of Bengalese conjurors and Jug
glers, showing their art before the EN-
peror, were desired to produce on the
spot, and seed, ten mulberry trees. They
Immediately planted ten seeds, which in
a few minutes produced as many trees.
The ground divided over the spot; when
ii seed was planted tiny leaves appeared,
at once followed by slender shoots,
which rapidly gained elevation, putting
ont leaves and twigs and branches,
finally spreading wide in the air, bud
ding, blossoming and yielding fruit,
which matured upon the spot, and was
found excellent. And this before the
beholder had turned away his eyes. Fig,
almond, mango and walnut trees were
at the same. time, under like conditions,
produced, yielding the fruit which be-
Ionged to each. Wonder succeeded
wonder. The branches were filled with
bids of beautiful plumage fitting about
among the leaves and singing sweet
notes. The leaves turned to russell, fell
from their places, branches and twigs
withered, and finally the trees sank back
into earth, out of which they had all
sprang within the hour.
The same conjurers performed series
Of marvels. One of them produced a
chain fifty cubits in length. One end
OF this he threw into the air, when the
chain rapidly ran out its whole length,
and remained fixed in the air as if fas-
tened against the sky. A dog was then
placed upon the chain, when up he ran
to the further end, and at once disap-
reared heavenward. A hog, panther,
and other large animals, were success
sively dispatched up this aerial path
way, and each in turn disappeared from
the far end. Nor were they seen again ;
and finally the chain was withdrawn,
and placed in bag for convenient car
riage
Another had bow and about fifty
sfeel-pointed arrows. He shot an arrow
into the air, who, lo! the arrow became
h1ed in space, at considerable height.
Another and another arrow was set off,
each fixing itself in the shaft of the pre-
7eCing, until all formed a chain of ar
SeTs IN the air, excepting the last shot,
which, striking the chain brought the
Whole to the ground in detachments.
They set up two common tents, fac
ing each other, and about bowshot apart.
lheSe tents were critically examined by
me Spectators, as are the cabinets of the
mediums, and pronounced empty. The
tents were fastened to the ground all
% md. The lookers-on were then in
'He1 to choose what animals or birds
'afy would have issue from these tents
!" engage in a battle. Khaun-e-Jahaun
'Aefednlously asked TO see a fight be-
won oStTiches. In few minutes an
'>'fieh came ont from each tent, rushed
y combat with deadly eamestness, and
non them the blood seen began to
s'e1m; but they were sonearly matched
'H2i neither could win the victory. and
'@y we're at last separated by the con-
l-'ors and conveyed within the tents.
Aiier this the varied demands Of specta-
W foT birds OF beasts were exactly