Louisiana capitolian., 1880-03-27
Marvellous Conjurers.

Some of the feats of tho Japanese
jugglers are very remarkable. One
will liz down on his back with q boy
balanced on the end of the nose, the
boy supporting an umbrella on the
end of his nose. Another will hold up
his foot, upon the sole of which u boy
plants his nose, and balances himself
in the air. Some of these feats seem
impossible, without the aid Of some
concealed machinery.
One jugglcr exhibited to the specta-
tora large open fan, which he held in
his right hand, then threw into the air,
caught it by the chaudlc in his left hand.
squatted down, famed himself, and
then turning his head in profile, gave
Il long sigh, during which tho image
of u galloping horse issued from his
mouth. Still fauning himself, he shook
from his right sleeve a,' army Of little
men. who presently, bowing and dan
ring, vanished from sight. Then he
bowed, closed the fan and held it in
his two hands, during which time his
own head disappeared, then became
visible, but of colossal size, and final
ly rcappcaled in it's natural dimen-
sions, hut multiplied four or five times.
They set y jar before him, aud in u
short time he issued from the neck,
rose slowly into the air, and vanished
in clouds along the ceiling.
But nothing on record parallels the
astonishing exhibitions of the Russian
Pirnetti, styled the Wizard Of the
North.
The Car Alexander, having heard
Pirnctti much spoken of, was dcsirous
of seeing him; and one day it was an
nounced to the conjurcr that he would
have thel'onor of giving u representa-
ton of his magical powers ut court,
the hour fixed for him to make llisap-
pearance being seven o'clock. A bril-
iiaut and numerous assembly of ladies
and courtiers, presided over by the
Car, had met, but the copjurer was
absent. Surprised and displeased,
the Czar pulled out his watch, which
indicated five minutes after seven.
Pirnetti had not only failed in being in
waiting, but he had caused the court
to wait, and Alexander was not more
patient than Louis XIV. A quarter
of IN hour had passed, half an hour,
and no Pirnetti! Messengers who
had been sent in search Of him return
edunsuccessful. 'Theangerofthe Car,
will, difficulty restrained, displayed
itself in threatening exclamations.
At length, after the elapse of an hour,
the gentleman of the chamber au-
nounced Pirnetti, who presented HIM
self with q calm front, and the screni.
ty of one who has done nothing to re.
proach himself with. The Car, how.
ever, was greatly displeased; but Pr.
netti assumed an air of astonisllment
and replied with the greatest cool ness
"Did not your majesty command my
presence ut seven o'clock precisely p
"Just sol" exclaimed the Car, a,
the height of exasperation.
"Well, thcn," said Pirnetti, "le,
your majesty deign to look at youl
watch, and you will perceive that
am exact, and that it is just sever
o'clock"
The Car, pulling out his watch VIC.
lently, in order to confound what he
considered a piece of downright inso-
lencc, was completely amazed. The
watch marked seven o'clock !! LII turn
all the cOultiers out their watches
which were found rs usual exactly
regulated by that of the sovereign
Seven o'clock! indicated with q com,
mon accord all the watches and clocks
of the palace. The art of tho mag,.
clan was at once manifest in this
strange rctrogrcssion in the march o1
time. TO anger succeeded astonish-
ment and admiration. Perceiving that
the Car smiled, Pirnetti thus address
ed him:
"Your majesty will pardon me. II
was by the performance of this trick
that | was desrous of making my first
appearance before you. But ! know
how precious truth is at court; it is al
least necessary that your watch should
tell it to you, sire. If you consult il
now, you will find that it marks the
real time"
The again drew forth his watcl
it pointed to few minutes past
eight; the same rectitication had takel
place in all the watches Of those pre-.
sent, and in the clocks ofthe palace. The
exploit was followed by Others equal
ly amusing and surprising. At the
close of the performances the Car