Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-08-14
Joke on Hermann.

Valnly nave tue audiences tnat Witnessed
the mystifyng performances OF Professor
Alexander Hermann, at the New Haven Op.
era House, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
evenings, endeavored to ascertain by what
means he accomplished the many tricks he
did. The audiences ofthe present day are
too highly educated to believe that there is
anything supernatural about the perform
ances of magicans, They know that every
thing is an illusion; there is nothing real
about it, but it was impossible for any one TO
detect the modus operandi of any Of the
numerous tricks performed By tbs world
famed prestidigitateur, Hermann. If any
man was ever fitted naturally for any pro-
fession he is for the profession be follows.
His hands are long and slim. and have one
popularity. The palms are 30 c0ncave that
he can easily hold an egg in one hand, and
allow that member to hang By his side in an
easy manner, This popularity aids him
greatly in acts of palming that is, holding
an object in one hand while appearing to
pass il to the other, which forms great
factor in the art of the magician. Moreover,
his hands are wonderfully strong. he being
able to tear pack of cards in halves with
ease. Hermann seldom tells how any of
his tricks are done, and his natural modesty
causes him TO refrain from talking very
much about himself To reporter
who visited him recently he give an ex.
hibition of palming and parlor magic, per-
forming some very remarkable feals with
common objects, such as rings, canes, etc.
II once had singular experience" he said,
while giving performance OF the house of
the governor of Montevideo in which I had
the abes turned on me. During my perform
auce l noticed three half savage Patsgon
ian5 standing aside from the rest of the COM
pany, and l at once determined to have
some fun with them. From the nose of the
first took an orange, from the hair of the
second took number OF silver coins, and
the third was overpowered with terror when
| extracted live rat from his nose. Utter
ing cry of fright, the Patsgoniaps with
drew. While receiving the congratulations
of the guest on the success OF the entertain
ment, discovered that my watch and chain,
purse, Eyeglasses and handkerchief were
missing. In ehort time the Patagonians
returned, and the one from whose nose the
rat had been taken handed me the missing
articles. He had picked my pocket st the
moment he appeared to be overcome with
SOmO VI Iuo tilSho pCtlOl mCu Wy
Hermann are very simple. The trick of
taking rabbits from silk hat is especially
so. On either side of the magician's coat
are two deep pockets in which the rab-
bits are concealed. Holding the hat near
the coat he by slight gesture distracts the
attention of the audience and by quite
movement the animal is forced into the hat.
The second one may be introduced in the
same manner, or he stoops down to place
the first rabbit on the floor and then easily
puts the second animal into the hat, which
is held near his breast. Another favorite of
hisis allowing person to shoot "a pistol which
is loaded with marked bullet, at him, he
catching the bullet in his hand. The bull
let is marked by person in the audience
and is then handed to Hermann. He palms
it, substituting bullet made OF common
black lead or graphite In ramming this
bullet in the pistol it is ground to dust, and
is as harmless as if the pistol were only load
ed with powder. AS soon as the pistol is
discharged he shows the marked bullet he
palmed and mysti6es the audience. All of
his tricks are built upon plan similar to
these. He does not do what he is expected
to, but by his dexterty he leads the aui-
dence to believe that he does all be says.
Hermann does not claim to be the professor
of supernatural power, but he does claim he
can mystify an audience.