Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-01-05
NUMBER !.
CONCERNING IMPOSTORs.

The recent detection of the impostor
"Dr. Sweeney " alias "Alfred De Ro-
han in your city reminds me that
America has for years been the favorite
resort for foreign charlataas. The most
don, the ser-styled capitalist and British
nobleman, who imposed on Horace Gree
ley, Daniel Drew, Jay Gould and other
leading men Of this city in a very re-
markable manner. He was admirably
adapted to the work of deception, being
of attractive and graceful person, fascna-
ting mannors, with all that easy noncha-
lance which marks good breeding, and
also with all the assurance that was ne
cessary to carry out the fraud. Add to
this general knowledge OF business,
which enabled .him to- discuss questions
of railroad finance, and you have the OUT
line of the most remarkable fraud this
city ever behold. Gordon remained hero
nearly a year, when having exhausted
the dupes of the city he went far West.
He finished his course by committing
suicide in order to escape arrest.
Cagliostro, tho most brilliant and sue
cesstul impostor known in Europe WAS
the Italian, whose assumed name was
Count Cagliostro. He died in prison in
1887, being then in his ftty-second year.
after q career of varied imposture, such
rs seems vastly moro like romance than
most Of tho creations Of the novelist. His
forte was to surround himself with mys-
terry, and having the aid of a confederate,
he assumed such characters as were best
adapted TO the occasion. He was at ono
time nobleman, and at another nat
uralist. His next appearance might be
in the guise ofan extraordinary physician
or necromancer. Tue entire role OF
social life was exhausted by this wondor-
ful deceiver, who included Greece, Egypt,
Turkey and Arabia in his range Of travel.
At Medina ho was a" distinguished muf-
IT," and became q great tavorite with tho
highest powers. He visited the grand
master OF tho knights Of Malta, and tho
latter was so impressed with the dignity
and accomplishments OF the count that he
gave him letters of recommendation 10
the nobility of Europe. In Italy his sue
cess in his career fswinding was extra
ordinary, As alchemist, sorcerer, and
spiritualist he claimed power not only
ovpr tho occult scionces." but also call
ed up tho spirits of the departed and held
communion with tho dead. lie invented
an elixir that insured perpetual life, and
which, to tho women, added uniading
beauty. AS n matter Of course its salo
was immense, and the inventor never re-
morits. lie called him self 200 yoars old,
and ascrbed his youthful appearance 10
tho use OF his wonderful preparation,
which had set death himself ut defiance.
From Italy tho count went to Germa-
ny, whore he met equal success, and no
then bent his steps toward st. Petersburg.
On his way he halted ut Mttau, where
he delivered mystic lectures and conjur-
VA bib AAbNd w ltbhlu w illOllhl NlbMs
Large profits followed him wherever no
went, but they were rapidly spent in
splendid dissipation. On his return from
Russia no convinced French preate
that no had made some wonderful cures,
and the news of the miracle reached Par
is, where he was received with enthns-
asm. He was tbrongcd by those who
; desired communion with the dead, and
who also bought the elixir. Here no ro-
vived the Egyptian "Kophta or secret
order, which claimed as specially .he
power 20 make gold and indefinitely pro-
long life. Tho leaders Of the court woro
his disciples, bat after his rolo was OK
bausted he suddenly decamped for other
scenes. Lavater, the physiognomst,
/, who professed to read character by the
countcnance, was one OF his dupes. Gag
liostro finished his public career in his
4ith year, when he was cast into prison
in the city of Rome undor life sentence.
For eight years he expiatod base crimes
: by the dreary durance of dungeon, and
then found grave among tho convict
dead. Such was the end Of the greatest
charlatan the world ever saw, but he has
had many followers. Some men have
faculty OF operating on tho confidence OF
others, and when they discover their pow :
or they will generally DO led 10 use it till
. swindling becomes q profession. Such
appears to be tho character Of DR.. Swee-
ney, who no doubt will soon turn up in
another role in some other place. .--NeS
York Times.