Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-01-15
SECOND SIGHT.
HOudln's Skill as Seer. and How he |
Came by IL and Worked il.

Houdan's Skill as Seer. and How hs
Came by IL and Worked it.
From the Chicago Times.
M. Robert HOudin. a famous French
magician and the inventor of many in
geniOus automatic, in his charming auto
biography, tells us how he first came to
think of second sight. 1t was suggested
to him by seeing his two children
playing a game they had invent
ed for their own amusement, in
which one of them was blindfOlded and
the other held up various articles before
him and he guessed what they were.
When he guessed right the other took his
place. Inspired with a sudden thought
HOudin retired to his wOrk-rOOm and
there laid down the first principles of
second sight.
nj. HOudin instantly began to disci-
pine his own memory and that of his
oldest boy. One method which they en-
plOyed was this: They would walk rapid
ly past shop window in which were
displayed great variety OF attractions,
giving it single rapid glance and then,
taking pencil and paper from their
pockets, would see which could write
HOudin says that his boy generally done
better than he. frequently writing down
as many as 40 articles. Among NJ. HOu-
din's friends was an antiquarian who
possessed an exceptionally fine collection
of ancient coins, gems, medals, etc. In
his museum and under his instruction
M. HOudin and his son learned to de-
scribe accurately every sort OF coin, and
to distinguish between real and spurious
antiques. They also learned the name
of every sort or surgical instruments,
engraver's and dentists tools, and, in
fact. every article that could possibly be
offered them. They memOriZed the al
piabets of many different languages,
and SO, though unable TO read or under.
stand them, could spell out words in He
brew, Greek SanScrit, Chinese, etc.
The earlier exhibitions of second sight
in Paris caused great excitement, and
HOudin'S entertainment, always well at
tended, were more crowded than ever.
Constant efforts were made to puzzle
HOudin, and every night fresh assOrt-
ment of queer and unusual articles was
presented by the audience, but in vain.
The admirable training of the young
seer, combined with the great magician's
skill, address and fertility of resource
carried them triumphantly through the
severest of Ordeals. Owing to his early
Eraining as a matchmaker HOudin could
open watch with one hand; single
swift glance would tell him the number,
makef, name, and anything else which
might be engraved upon it. Thus when
"a watch was handed him by any one in
the audience his son would give full
description of it, apparently without
either of them having seen the inside OF
it. So great did HOudin's skill at second
sight" become that he was popularity be-
liesed to be an actual SOrcerer.
He gives US in one place an amusing
account of how he once gained great
practical advantage by the exhibition of
his skill. He had been induced by the
glowing representations and golden
promises of theatrical agent to go to
Brussels for two months engagement in
summer. He travelled with his wife and
two sons i'm pOstchaise, which he rented
for the occasion, and the top OF
which was heavily loaded with an i'm
mense number of boxes containing his
apparatus. When they reached the Bel
gian frontier he was informed by the
custOm-hOuse officer that he must unpack
all his instruments in order that the
value of them might be estimated and a
tax of 25 per cent, ad valOrem paid. In
vain he explained the circumstances tC
the clerk: the only consolation he receiv
ed was that he might probably obtain
the permission of the Belgian minister t.
have them passed duty free, but this
could not be done under a week, and hi:
engagement in Brussels was to begin in
-four days. In this dilemma Nj. HOudiI
resolved to apply to the director himself
but he, too, refused to interfere. HOudin
however, persisted in his entreaties, ant
they were standing at the door of tn,
custom house, cOnversing, when tn,
director began questioning HOudin il
regard to bis profession, it occurred t.
the latter that an exhibition of his skill
might do him good service. He there
fore proposed to the director to give hin
specimen of one of the most interest
ing of his tricks, a proposition which
was jOyfully accepted by the director
now wearied by M. HOudins importuni
ties. Twill let M. HOudin tell the res
of the story himself:
my son at this moment, was playins
some distance off upon the high road ant
kicking a pebble about. .sslsf
"'Emile,' cried, hailing him, can yOl
tell us what this gentleman has in hi
pocketY
Certainly the boy replied withou
leaving off his game; he has blue
striped handkerchief
"'Oh, Ohp the director said with al
air of establishment. Then he recovered
and putting his hands in both pockets t,
conceal their contents. That's all yer,
good he added, with an air of doubt
but chance may have aided that dis
coyery.'
AFTER slight pause, during which h
seemed considerably bothered, he con
tinued: Can he tell me, though, what i
u lder the handkerchief
The gentlemen asks what is unde
the handkerchief shouted to my son.
"'There is he replied i'm the same lou,
voice, "a green morocco spectacle case
without the spectacles.'
That's really curiOus-very curious
said the director. But he added, shrug
ging his shoulders, L should much lik
him to mention the article under TIN
spectacle case
"And my incredulous friend showed hi
bands in his pockets. / drew goo'