Year: 1877

Olive Logan in Harper's for NOvember.l


Ever since the capture of the
strange empire of India by the
English, or for more than a hundred
years, the civilized peoples have
been hearing of the marvellous leats
performed by the native jugglers.
Naturally, Houdin's announcement
of the Indian basket trick made a
great sensation. The curtain arose
and disclosed wicker basket of
oblong shape standing upon what
appeared to be a light table, with
out any cloth cover upon it. The
juggler entered, dragging a beauti-
iul youth, dressed as an Indian
prince, wearing a robe of white
cashmere embroidered with gold,
while upon his head waved pea
cocks plume held by a diamond
star.


"Mercy mercy" cried the child.


"No-no mercy. You are an
Indian and prince, and must die"
was the savage response.


& am only a child" cried the
innocent boy


"That will not prevent my kill
ing YOU"


With piercing shrieks the child
broke away and rushed to the side
wing, only to be seized there by his
executioner, who, lifting him in his
arms, plunged him into the basket,
which he closed, strapping down
the cover. Then he drew his
sword, and having tested its sharp
ness by striking it on the floor, he
thrust it in the basket again and
again, while the victim inside gave
the most heartrending cries of pain
and agony. Each time the sword
was pulled out, it was seen to be
covered with blood, while the sobs
and groans from the inside of the
basket grew fainter and fainter, till
at length they ceased, and a ghostly
silence followed. During this scene
the excitement among the audience
was intense. Ladies hid their faces
behind their fans; some wept aloud;
men shouted hoarsely, Enough
The smiling juggler bowed, and
proceeded to unstrap the basket,
which he turned mouth upward,
to the audience. In the midst OF
the applause which followed from
the amused and relieved audience,
the little Indian prince was seen to
be seated in a box in the center of
the auditorium, kissing his tiny
hand to those about him, as we'll as
to his friend, the executioner on the
stage.


This trick was performed with
the aid of looking-glasses inserted
between the table legs-a contriv-
ance now commonly used in panto-
mines and other show pieces upon
our stage. But it was a new thing
then, and the scene was remarkably
well played by Houdin and the
child. AS soon as the boy got in
the basket be opened a trap-door
in the bottom of it, which was
placed over a corresponding open
ing in the table. Hidden by the.
looking. glass, he crouched below
between the table legs, and shrieked
and sobbed until the proper mo.
ment came for him to descend
through trap in the stage, and SO
pass around to the box in front of
the theater, A sponge full Of a red
liquid was placed at a certain spot
inside the basket, and the sword,
passing through this, seemed to be
dripping with blood. 1t was i'm
peraliye that the juggler should not
pass in front of the table, else bis
legs would have been reflected
there, and that would have dis
closed the entire secret. Houdin
became dissatisfied with this trick,
and made many improvements in
it, which the jugglers Of our day
have still further perfected. 1t is
palpapble that this cannot be the
way in which Indian juggleFs per-
form the trick In the market-places
or other public squares in broad
daylight. They have no looking
glass table, no traps through tho
earth.


Uondin's thehrv connarninp them