Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-10-07
MYSTERIES Or MAGIC.
PROFESSOR HERMANN EXPLAINS MANY
AMAZING TRICKS
Balls. Catching Fsais Are Basy-Hirdoo and Ara
bian Illusions That Have Puzzled Thousands Of
Travellers

No doubt that stripped or It's impen-
etrable mantle OF mystery, 0erett OF the
word mysterious" thrown open 20 the
gaze of the curious, fully explained 10
those in search of Information, magic
would not be sufficiently interesting 10
entertain any but the most ardent seek
ers of knowledge. Ii is the weird and
mysterious that have protected it since
the history Of man began, anc 10 is mys-
terry that will protect il while it cOntin-
uss 10 interest and entertain modern
audiences, as IL did when magic was the
form OF religion and magicians were the
favored pet,ed priests OF the ancients.
The period of the origin Of magic Is
aud ever must remain an unsettled ques-
ton. Ii was when the human race be-
gan. To is suggestive that Moses de-
scribed the creation from the visionary
pictorial representation that occupied
seven days from the commence nent to
the close OF the struggle. This was the
entertainment at which the Grand Ar
chiteSt Of the Universe collected the
particles composing this terrestrial globe
and from chaos caused the world that
we inhabit 70 develop. This is explained,
but being explained remaiRs all
the more unexplained. Tue smlt-
ing OF the rock by Moses and the
appearance OF the gushing stream we're
weird and mysterious.
OLD TIME MAGL
Magic comes from the Magi who
under the Persian Empire rose 70 the
very highest importance, the learned OF
the people and the philosophers Of God
aud sstrOlOgers OF the people. They
called uD the dead with awful form ulas,
which we're ia their exclusive posses
sion, and their influence in private as
we'll as public life was almost unbound
ed Thew we're the constant companions
of ths royal mouarchs and the inventors
OF all religious systems. They wore
white garments, slept on the ground
and were subject to the most rigorous
discipline. The initiation TO their cir
Gle consisted Of the most awful and
mysterious ceremonies, and they
shrouded all their doings in veil OF
mystery impenetrable 70 those outside
their own sect
Iu modern magic there is nothing so
mysterious as the magic Of the HindOos,
Since the visit of Marco Polo 10 the
Far East, the most incredible tales of
the wonderful performances Of the
Hindo0 fakirs aud magicianS have
found believers 20 ell lands, end &C
counts OF their experiments, ia which
they set st defiance all the laws OF
nature, are almost universally accepted
| as gospel truth, when, In reality, they
are, ass rule, ordinary f5atS of deCep-
"a form 1 Cd q u M
iucantatiOns, aud done ia such way,
and the secrets Sc carefully guarded, as
20 make them objects OF wOnderment 70
seven the Elost skeptical aud Intelligent
0ehOldErs.
THE CANE TRICK.
'One OF the HindOO fakjr's perform
Sances most frequently described, and
considered the most marvellous, is the
turning OF a walking stick into q SER
! pent. In the Scriptures the turning of
/ tho rods into serpen.s is alluded TO, but
mot explained Modern writer's tell of
lHindoO jugRlers who will walk into the
centre Of a circle of spectators, take
walking stick from the hand OF some
bone q the audience, cast il upon the
grOund, when it will at once begin 10
lsquirm, aud finally change into the
dreaded cobra di capelIO OF Asia.
Now the performer is described as be-
pc without apparatus, confederates,
cenery or wardrobe, as giving bis en-
ertaiument on the bare ground, and as
Ding il 10 such a manner as 20 defy de-
sctiou. Described in this way the per-
Drmance is truly wonderful, but let me
escribe &c.
The circle Of spectators is formed, and
be performer enters the ring, clad in
he ordinary HindOO street dress, which
fOrds magnificent opportunities for
Oncealing anything he may require iu
is entertainment When ready TO
hange some ones walking stick into