Year: 1861

a BRASS COIN CHANGED INTO LIVING SERPENT.


The fort at Calcutta, commonly known as
Fort William, is one Of the most splendid and
convenient military establishments to be found
In any quarter of the globe. 1t is often the
scene Of animated festivity, from the presence
OF native JuggieTs, renowned for their surpris-
ing skill and dsxterity. The performances of
these strange people have been so often de-
soribed that l shall only mention few, for
otherwise might tire the reader. The par
tcular trick alluded to is the apparent con-
version OF brass coin into a snake. The
Juggler gave me the coin to hold, and then
seated himself about FIVE yards from me, on a
small rug, from which he never attempted to
move during the whole performance. showed
the coin to several persons who were close be-
side me, on form in front Of the juggler. At
a sign from him, not only grasped the coin l
held firmly in my right hand, but crossing
that hand with equal tightness with my left,
enclosed them both as firmly as could be-
tween my knees. Of course L was positively
certain that the small coin was within my
double fists. The juggler then began a short
lncantston, accompanied by mOnotonOus
and discordant kind Of recitative, and repeat
ing the words, "Ram Sammu," during some
minutes. He then suddenly stopped, and still
keeping his seat, made quick motion with his
hand, as if throwing something at me, giving,
At the same time, puff with his mouth. At
that instant felt my hands suddenly distend,
and become partly open, while experienced
sensation as if cold ball of dough, or some
thing equally soft, nasty and disagreeable,
was now between my palms. | started to my
feet IN astOnishment, and opening my hands,
found there coin; but, to my horror and
alarm (for of all created things detest and
loathe the genus, saw young snake, all
aliye-oh, , and of all snakes in the world,
cObra-di-capello, folded, or rather coiled,
rouudly up. l threw il instantly to the ground


trembling with rage and fear, az if already
bit by the deadly reptile, which began imme-
diateiy to crawl along the ground, to the alarm
of every one present. The juggler now got up
for the first time since be had sat down, and
catching hold of the snake, displayed its
length, which was nearly two feet-two feet
all but an inch and half. He then took it
cautiously by the TAIL and opening his own
mouth to its widest extent, let the head of the
snake drop into it, deliberately commenced
TO swallow the animal, till the end of the tail
was only visible; then making a sudden gulp,
the whole of the snake was apparently swal-
lowed. After this be came up to the specta-
tors, and opened his mouth wide, permitted
US to look into bis throat but no snake or
snakes tail was visible-it was seemingly down
his throat altogether. During the remainder
OF the performances we never saw this snake
again, nor did the man profess his ability to
make 1t reappesr. But he performed another
snake trick which surprised US very much
He took from bag another cobra di-capello,
and walking into the centre of the room en-
closed it in his hands in a folded state He
waved or shook them for some time in this
hey presto-the snake was gone, and ia its
place appeared several small ones, which he
suffered to fall from his hands, when they
gilded, with their peculiar undulatiDg move
ment, almost like the waves of the sea, across
the fOer.-A British Officer IN India.