Telegram-herald., 1889-07-28
The PARls EXPOSITION.
Nothing L. More Curious There Than the
Algerian Juseiers.

T.
Especial Corr-s 3ll1sleS.
PARIS, July l2-Ihe exhibition has
brought u this city many curious things.
bat none more 50 than troupe Of Al
gerian lugglers who have established
themselves on the Esplauade des lnva-
lides, and who each evening draw a
large crowd of curiosity seekers. These
men are known Ia their own country by
the name OF AyssOua, and they are most
expert, but their powers seem 10 lie
given more 10 horror producing than
pleasing sights, bet there is fascina-
ton that forces tllo beholder 10 remain
until the last act i finished
The performance begins with an infer
nal din Of drums OF peculiar make, and
this Is continued uutil it Is supposed that
the higher powers have listened 10 their
appeal for aid. When this noise be-
comes insupportable 1t ceases suddenly,
and a silence almost painful reigns for
some minutes, after which one Of the
iugglers brings braZier and places it in
the center OF the stage. and throws
powder upon IL, which sends mp light
smoke with pleasant pUngent odor.
Two of the iuegiers then advance and
one supports the others head over the
smoke After this the man lifts his
sveStowards the sky and rolls his head
around rapidly. and it is probable that
this rapid movement OF the head causes
| a partial insensibility of the body, for
suddenly be precipitates himself upon a
| pile OF broken glass and cactus leaves,
and devours the glass and sharp cactus
| spines During this he throws himself
| fiat on his stomach. rises, lifts his ewes
| to heaven in an ecstasy, while the others
beat on their drums. and then he rises
and after saluting the chief takes his
| place on a bench as calm and placid as
| pool of water in a dark forest, though
the cactus thorns inflict painful wounds.
A second rises, is conducted to the
Nrazier, breathes the smoke and then
| owes himself up to the most extraordi-
gary cOntortions, as though in a terrible
| fit and with every expression of agony.
throws himself on his ston'o~', and begs
for the box of vipers. TITS given him
and he beams with joy,-nnd opens the
box, taking out the poisonous snakes.
They enlace his arms and neck, which
are bare. and they bite him in a dozen
places, whereat he laughs gleefully and
kisses them as he replaces them and re-
tires to the bench.
He is followed by others who infict
the most revolving cruelties upon them
selves. They stick nails and needles
through their legs and cheeks, and then
smile as the public looks for the blood to
| flow in vain. One Of them takes special
| pains to show how he stics fine needle
into his eye, and another pulls his eye
| from its socket, and when the blood
trickles down the cheek he laughs and
turns swiftly around and it is in its place
| again, and he tries to look as if he is in
spired.
The last thing on the programme after
number of things all curious. 70 say
nothing Of being horrible, Is for one of
| them 10 take a small box and from that
set loose scorpion, which he allows to
run around on his face, and he provokes
| it az much as possible until at last it
turns and stings him, after which he
swallows the little reptile, or at least APP
pears 10.
The place where this curious perform
ance IS carried on is handsomely fitted
up and hung with barbaric Tapestry, and
though one would think no person of re-
| hnement would care 10 visit such a re-
voting entertainment. it Is always full
O, the elite of French society. The price
Of admission is very high, and every
evening may be seen a long line Of pri-
vate carriages waiting for the perform
ance 10 finish.
The rich people in France find 1t as
hard to amuss themselves and pass tho
time as the people Of the same class do
in every country. But the women show
that the old taste for horrors has never
died ont la the hearts Of French women
since the d3vs when they used 70 pity
the horses who were whipped to make
them pull harder 50 as 70 tear saaa
wretched offender 70 pieces.
Among the carriages which stood 1T
the door OF tins place tonight were
those Of the Countess de Pourlates. the
Princesse Dc Sagan and Madame ia
Noirot. Buffalo Biil is popular. but he
| does not give 50 many horrors az short
range. Tie Algeriaus are thin and dark.
but picturesque in their tribal costumes.
/ sr1 they are something new Perhars
tomorrow it wiz Be something else.
MaFy Epr~rtv