The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-09-29
ROUND ABOUT GOTHAM.
TALK OF THE WEEK AT THE GREAT
METROPOLIS.

\ Conversation on Magic with Professor
Recommendations rashion---Neiiov
the Prevailing Color Chat About Nari
:, Gus Weii-known women-Mi-s tIe,e'
lands New Home.
New York. September % Esp cha
Core pondence l." Magic has un
dergone greet changes in my
own recollection. most Of which have
been for the BETTER said Professo,
Hermann. the magician. whom met
the other day. when | began my
professional career land | was only
eight years old at the timel the average
coDliror carried with him enough ap-
psraius aud pharaphernalia to fill .
baggage car With this he dressed the
stage until it looked like the exhibition
room of a great leweir, house. Is Wa
legend Of the profession that the
richer and more brilliant the equip
ment the greater the success Of the
performer. One magician carried with
him what was known in the d amailc
world as properties. and also th'
materials for a set scene. He set his
stage so as TO resemble the interior OF
Greek palace in the time of Pericles
and went so far as to have his attend
ants attired ia classical tunes.
Another popular performer OF tha'
nerlod reproduced the den or labor .
Tory of an alchomist, wherein strange
tires burned. liquids boiled, and mys
ferrous vapors and perfumes ever dno
again broke upon the air SILL another
played the part Of medieval NEGRO
mancer or wizard and used as orna-
81 L. oil
and black cat with which that indivi
dual was popularity believed to be sur
rounded.
The modern style Of performing in
dress suit. with the stage set as a
drawing room. took its use, believe.
with my father and Robert HoudiD.
Itwas well received by the public. but
was opposed by the profession. Their
ideas slowly forged ahead, until to day
they are almost universally followed
The old system died hard. While II Is
seldom seen nowadays in the large
cities. it is occasionally encountered H.
small iowns. Much of the apparatus
then used has gore INTO the curiosity
enop. some into collections of brlc-a
brac. anu some have been put TO palmer
and more practical use. The rule az
present is to use as little machinery a
possible and TO conceal or TO disguise
that lIgtle as much as can be- done.
There are exceptions In those cases
where scIe ntific illusions are produced
The 'sphyDx or 'headless woman.
where head seemingly free of any
body is suspended by thread Mas
kel,D's cabinet. where man appa-
rently disappears without leaving o
trace behind. aud Peppers CHESTS.
where men walk through each other a.
il each were n spiritual being, require
the lai gest and finest mirrors and other
expensive Optical apparatus.
''Some Of the superb scientific tricks
have been borrowed from she con
juror repertoire and used in opera and
drama. Ia some of Wagner 5 compost
lions. in the ''Corsicar Brothers, and
am told. in at least two of Henry lfv
ing's wonderful productions. mirrors
refectors and electrical appliances
have been employed with more than
satisfactory results.
The effect of these scientific toys Is
great enough upon educated people
With persons Of less intelligence II Is
far greater. while with those OF no edu-
cation it is simply terrific. in some
parts of Europe and Asia | have at
times rlsked life and limb from the SUI
perstitious aud illiterate. who were con
WINGED that was in league with the
devil. Every now and then YOU run
across individuals who still believe IN
witches and wizards. in devils who 90
around disguised IL human shape
and in the ability OF any
man 20 sell his soul TO the powers OF
darkness for almost any and every con
ceivable consideration. To such a.
these, all legerdemain seems uncanny
and every prestidigetateur very sus'
picious, if not a dangerous. character.
When beyond this, they see something
no. ONLY inexpicable but also lncom'
prehensible. that seems to involve
mower over spiritual beings good anu
had. their superstition oNercOmes All
curiosity, and they become the slaves
of fear in regard TO the spectacle they
witness and of hatred. and Jerocity TO
ward the actor.
There is a humorous side to the pro
fession which Is always pleasant L"
keep in Practice. as we'll as TOT o,hel
reasDns.every professor is forever pay
inc harmless jokes. The effect OF THESE
at times is iDdescribable. Once at the
dinner table of hotel there was a
nnmcous individual who bored every
me nresent by his loud voice and sub
lime egotism. stood II few MINUTES
and theu fixing nov eyes as | raised my
coffee to my lips, pretended TO swai
low cup as well as contents. lie gasped
-
,he attention of all there to himself ana
myself | then swallowed the saucer
and knife. 1t was too much for IN.
composure. He broke down, the crow d
burst into roar. and we we've tiou
bled no more at that meal.
"Or another occasion when man was
too fond of whiskey to be OF use to any
BODY else. insisted upon joining the
proup to which / was talking, | sudden
~ took my hat oil and let large RAJ
fan on the table. The man yelled and
made a bee line for the street"
THE KING OF TATooERs.
The wafer front along the East river
is lined with sailors homes IN whici
the iollv seamen, who come ashore tt
varnish the town. may find shelter
while their money lasts. AT one OF
these boarding houses | was luck,
cnouch TO find Jack Durstan, the KING
of tatooers. who landed here one day
last week. Jack is a grizzled veteran
and one of the kind that enjoys figh
inst for the sake of soclablity, but he Il
an able skin artist-there is no doub
about that.
lie mad an array Of surgical instru
mep,s that would have done honor 10
Greater. barbarian than himself. In'
implements OF his craft consisted OF
small round stick. about the size OF
\. lead pencil. flat,ened about an inch al
zone end, on which were placed side oy
side with points projecting, bali dozef
fine needles. bound fast with liner
thread aud so arranged that the .poin,'
formed one side of triangle. shel
low vetsel for ink and book of designs
completed tho outfit Of this able skIi
piercer.
The book Of designs contained about
one HUNDRED gems of art. 10 be draw