Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1879-07-19

fitting India rubber cover. As
make the motion to cover my arm
| I draw the cover off the dish as
push the dish under the cloth. Tha
much is sleight. .of-hand. I lift the
cloth and here is the fish and oper
dish of water. How strange it il
that people will be so easily deceiv'
ed, and yet Hermann set the peo'
pie of New York wild over thai
simple trick.
"Oazeneuve, the Frenchman, who
would never speak English, al
though he could speak the language
very we'll, is the equal of the elder
Herman in sleight-of-hand tricks.
His manipulation of cards was as
good Ms anybody's, and he did a
good many things that no other
magician even attempted in this
country. His paraphernalia was
extensive and valuable. He had
made much money, aud could afford
to have the very best in the world.
His trip to this country was a sad
failure. Boston, Philadelphia, and
I think San. Francisco were the on
ly places that he scored successes
in. Perhaps his Indian mail trick
was the best sensation he had.
"While speaking of foreigners
who did not succeed here 1 must
not forget Patrizo, Spaniard who
came to this country some two years
ago. He was splendid sleight.
of-hand performer and his para
phernalia was superb. He played
in New York at the Academy of
Music. He did not succeed at all.
He went to Boston, where atten-
ded at the opening night. There
were 1000 people in the house.
He never got a hand OF applause,
although his performance was de.
lightful to me. His skill Of manip-
ulation was beautiful, and some of
his electric and magnetic expert
ments we're simply immense. He
returned to Spain broken.h hearted
and financially a ruined man. The
reason Of his failure, as of Gaze
neuve's is plain. They could present
the trick we'll, but they couldn't ill
in the interstices by cheerful and
witty remarks. That is where Hell.
Ter was so great.
"Professor Hartz was once we'll
known as magician. Ae was
machine performer, indeed, but he
clothed his work in much mystery,
and was very successful in working
up the press in his interest and his
black art. Hartz came to
this country in 1866 and travelled
for several years with indiffe rent
success. One time he was travel
ing in Canada. The freight car in
which his machinery was stored
was wrecked in a collision and his
knocked into ten thous-
and smithereens. That was a lucky
hing for Hartz. He compromised
nis claim for $4,000, which was
paid him by the railroad company.
doubt if the whole lot he had was
worth more than $4,000. With this
he started in the business
IF selling machinery tricks in New
York. l don't think he succeeded
very we'll. There is not much de.
nand for that kind of thing in
America. Well, Hartz went to the
West Indies, made some money,
and came home crazy. His brother
IS now ON the road. OF the gift
show people l won't speak. They
include the .'Fakir of Ava" "Fakir
of Olu," "Abracadabrt, the Demon
If the Nile," "Professor Macalister,"
md half a dozen others. I do not
class with them, however, the boy
magician Balagraba, as he styles
who first appeared in New
York at the Olympic theater in 1877.
He is now in the west, and making
OTIS of money and fame.
"There was an old man of our
guild of whom I scarcely ever think
unless l feel like touching my hat.
His was q noble character. He was
. Philadelphian, and he was indeed
great. Ispeak Of Signor Blitz. 1
will venture to say that 100000
people in this country remember |
him with the warmest feelings. His
great speciality was birds. He did
many things with them that nobody
else-and many have tried-have
ever succeeded in doing. He per-
for children, and it was a |
pleasure to see and hear him talk |
TO the little ones. He was fnan.
cially very successful, but he did
not keep his money. His daughter,
known to the lyric stage as Que of |
it's choicest ornaments, is known to
,ven more extended fame as Jennie
Van Zandt. She is now sing ing in
where her success for the
past year has been phenomenal.
THE GREAT EUROPEAN PERFORM
ERs.
"Houdin was the representative |
If France. If the people who read !