3 182202510 1593
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 CALIFORNIA 
 
 SAN DIEQO
 
 OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO 
 
 n 
 
 3 182202510 1593 
 
 1 545
 
 MEMOIRS 
 
 Of 
 
 ROBERT-HOUDIN 
 
 AMBASSADOR, AUTHOR, AND CONJURER. 
 
 WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 DR. R. SHELTON MACKENZIE. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 GEO. Q. EVANS, PUBLISHER, 
 NO. 438 CHESTNUT STREET. 
 
 1859. 
 
 15354
 
 Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by 
 G. G. EVANS, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY RINGWALT k CO., 
 84 SOUTH THIRD STREET.
 
 EDITOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 A MAN may not only "take his own life," by writing his 
 autobiography, without committing felo de se, but may carry 
 himself into future time by producing a book which the 
 world will not willingl/ let die. This is what M. Robert- 
 Houdin, the greatest artist in what is called Conjuring, has 
 lately done in the remarkable book Confidences d'un Pres- 
 tigiteur, a faithful translation of which is here presented 
 to the American reading public. The work has had the 
 greatest success in Europe, from its lively style as well as 
 the various information it contains, historical and philo- 
 sophical, on the practice and principles of sleight-of-hand, 
 and the other details, mental as well as mechanical, which 
 unite to make perfect the exhibition of White Magic, the 
 antipodes of what our forefathers knew, persecuted, and 
 punished as the Black Art. 
 
 Houdin has been considered of such importance and in- 
 terest in France, that in Didot's Nouvelle Biographie Grn- 
 rale, now in course of publication at Paris, a whole page is 
 given to him. From this memoir, and from his own account
 
 4 EDITOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 in the pages which follow, we learn that he was born at 
 Blois, on the 6th December, 1805, that his father, a 
 watchmaker in that city, gave him a good education at the 
 College of Orleans, that his inclination for escamotage (or 
 juggling) was so decided as to make him averse to pursue 
 his father's trade, that he early exhibited great taste for 
 mechanical inventions, which he so successfully cultivated 
 that, at the Paris Exhibition of 1844, he was awarded a 
 medal for the ingenious construction of several automata, 
 that, having studied the displays of the great masters on 
 the art of juggling, he opened a theatre of his own, in the 
 Palais Royal in Paris, to which his celebrated soirees fan- 
 tastiques attracted crowds, that, in 1848, when the Re- 
 volution had ruined all theatrical speculations in Paris, he 
 visited London, where his performances at St. James's 
 Theatre were universally attractive and lucrative, that 
 he made a tour through Great Britain with equal success, 
 returning to Paris when France had settled down quietly 
 under the rule of a President, that he subsequently visited 
 many other parts of Europe, every where received with dis- 
 tinction and applause, that at the Great Parisian Exhibi- 
 tion of 1855, he was awarded the gold medal for his scien- 
 tific application of electricity to clocks, that, shortly 
 after, he closed ten years of active public life by relinquish- 
 ing his theatre to Mr. Hamilton, his brother-in-law, retir- 
 ing with a well-earned competency to Blois, and that, 
 in 1857, at the special request of the French Government, 
 which desired to lessen the influence of the Marabouts, 
 whose conjuring tricks, accepted as actual magic by the
 
 EDITOR'S PREFACE. 5 
 
 Arabs, gave them too much influence, he went to Algeria, 
 as a sort of Ambassador, to play off his tricks against 
 theirs, and, by greater marvels than they could shew, de- 
 stroy the prestige which they had acquired. He so com- 
 pletely succeeded that the Arabs lost all faith in the mira- 
 cles of the Marabouts, and thus was destroyed an influence 
 very dangerous to the French Government. 
 
 In his retirement, to which he has returned, Houdin 
 wrote his Confidences, and is now devoting himself to scien- 
 tific researches connected with electricity. Before the 
 appearance of his own work, M. Hatin had published, in 
 1857, Robert- Houdin, sa vie, ses ceuvres, son theatre. 
 
 The French a^id English critics have generally and 
 warmly eulogized M. Houdin's Confidences, and I am per- 
 suaded that, on this side of the Atlantic, it will be con- 
 sidered an instructive as well as an amusing volume. 
 
 One error which M. Houdin makes must not be passed 
 over. His account of M. de Kempelen's celebrated automa- 
 ton chess-player (afterwards Maelzel's) is entirely wrong. 
 This remarkable piece of mechanism was constructed in 
 1769, and not in 1796 ; it was the Empress Maria-Theresa 
 of Austria who played with it, and not Catherine II. of 
 Russia ; it was in 1783 that it first visited Paris, where it 
 played at the Cafe" de la R^gence ; it was not taken to 
 London until 1784 ; and again in 1819 ; it was brought 
 to America in 1825, by M. Maelzel, and visited our prin- 
 cipal cities, its chief resting-place being Philadelphia ; M. 
 Maelzel's death was in 1838, on the voyage from Cuba to the 
 United States, and not, as M. Houdin says, on his return
 
 ,6 EDITOR'S PEEFACE. 
 
 to France ; and the automaton, so far from being taken 
 back to France, was sold by auction here, finally purchased 
 by the late Dr. J. K. Mitchell, of Philadelphia, reconstructed 
 by him, and finally deposited in the Chinese Museum, 
 (formerly Peale's,) where it was consumed in the great fire 
 which destroyed the National Theatre, (now the site of the 
 Continental Hotel, corner of Ninth and Chestnut streets,) 
 and extending to the Chinese Museum, burnt it down on 
 July 5th, 1854. An interesting account of the Automaton 
 Chess-Player, written by Professor George Allen, of this 
 city, will be found in " The Book of the First American 
 Chess Congress," recently published in New York. 
 
 M. Houdin is engaged now in writing" a volume explain- 
 ing the manner in which sleight-of-hand and other conjur- 
 ing tricks and deceptions are performed. 
 
 I have added an Index to this volume, which I trust 
 will be accepted as useful. 
 
 R. SHELTON MACKENZIE. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 26, 1859.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PAOB 
 
 My Birth and Parentage My Home The Lessons of Colonel 
 Bernard Paternal Ambition My first Mechanical Attempts 
 Had I but a Rat! A Prisoner's Industry The Abb6 Lari- 
 viere My Word of Honor Farewell to my darling Tools. , 17 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 A Country Idler Dr. Carlosbach, Conjurer and Professor of Mys- 
 tification The Sand-bag and the Stirrup Trick I turn Law- 
 yer's Clerk, and the Minutes appear to me very long A small 
 Automaton A respectful Protest I mount a Step in the Office 
 A Machine of Porter's Power The Acrobatic Canaries Mon- 
 sieur Roger's Remonstrances My Father decides that I shall 
 follow my bent ..... 26 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 My Cousin Robert The most important Event in my Life How 
 a Man becomes a Sorcerer My first Sleight-of-Hand Feat An 
 utter Failure Practising the Eye and the Hand Curious Ex- 
 periment in Prestidigitation Monsieur Noriet An Action more 
 ingenious than delicate I am Poisoned Influence of Delirium. 42
 
 8 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 I return to Life A strange Doctor Torrini and Antonio : a Con- 
 jurer and a Fanatic for Music A Murderer's Confession A 
 perambulating House The Fair at Angers A port able Theatre 
 I witness for the first Time a Conjuring Performance The 
 blind Man's Game at Piquet A Dangerous Rival Signor 
 Castelli eats a Man alive. .... 55 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Antonio's Confessions How to gain Public Applause The Count 
 
 de , Mountebank I repair an Automaton A Mechanician's 
 
 Shop on Wheels Nomadic Life Happy Existence Torrini's 
 Lessons His Opinions about Sleight-of-Hand A Fashionable 
 Greek, Victim of his own Swindling The Conjurer Comus A 
 Duel at Piquet Torrini proclaimed Conqueror Revelations 
 -H New Catastrophe Poor Torrini! ... 73 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Tbrrini relates his Life Treachery of Chevalier Pinetti A Con- 
 jurer through Malice A Race between two Magicians Death 
 of Pinetti Exhibits before Pius VII. The Cardinal's Chro- 
 nometer Twelve Hundred Francs spent on a Trick Antonio 
 and Antonia The most bitter of Mystifications Constanti- 
 nople. ....... 90 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Continuation of Torrini's History The Grand Turk orders a 
 Performance A marvellous Trick A Page cut in two Pity- 
 ing Protest of the Harem Agreeable Surprise Return to 
 France Torrini's Son Killed Madness Decay My first 
 Performance An annoying Accident I return Home. . 121
 
 CONTENTS. 9 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 PAQB 
 
 The Prodigal Son Mademoiselle Houdin I go to Paris My 
 Marriage Comte Studies of the Public A skillful Manager 
 Rose-colored Tickets A Musky Style The King of Hearts 
 Ventriloquism The Mystifiers Mystified Father Roujol 
 Jules de Rovere Origin of the word prestidigitatuer. . 136 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Celebrated Automata A Brazen Fly The Artificial Man Al- 
 bertus Magnus and St. Thomas d' Aquinas Vaucanson His 
 Duck His Flute-Player Curious Details The Automaton 
 Chess-Player Interesting Episode Catherine II. and M. de 
 Kempelen I repair the Componium Unexpected Success. 155 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 An Inventor's Calculations One Hundred Thousand Francs a Year 
 by an Inkstand: Deception My new Automata The First 
 Magician in France: Decadence I meet Antonio Bosco 
 The Trick with the Cups An Execution Resurrection of the 
 Criminals Mistake in a Head The Canary rewarded. . 176 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 A Reverse of Fortune Cookery and Clockwork The Artist's 
 Home Invention of an Automaton Voluntary Exile A mo- 
 dest Villa The Inconveniences of a Speciality Two August 
 Visitors The Throat of a mechanical Nightingale The Tiou 
 and the Rrrrrrrrouit Seven Thousand Francs earned by mak- 
 ing Filings. . ' . ' . . . 192
 
 10 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Inventive Genius of a Sugar-baker Philippe the Magician 
 His Comic Adventures Description of his Performance Expo- 
 sition of 1844 The King and Royal Family visit my Automata. 221 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 My proposed Reforms I build a Theatre in the Palais Royal 
 Formalities General Rehearsal Singular Effect of my Per- 
 formance The Largest and Smallest Theatre in Paris Tribu- 
 lation My first Performance Panic Discouragement A 
 Fallible Prophet Recovery Success. . . . 234 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 New Studies A Comic Journal Invention of Second Sight 
 Curious Experiments An enthusiastic Spectator Danger of 
 being a Sorcerer A Philter or your Life Way to get rid of 
 Bores An Electric Touch I perform at the Vaudeville Strug- 
 gles with the Incredulous Interesting Details. . . 263 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Seductions of a Theatrical Agent How to gain One Hundred 
 Thousand Francs I start for Brussels A lucky Two-Sou 
 Piece Miseries of professional Travelling The Park Thea- 
 tre Tyranny of a Porter Full House Small Receipts 
 Deceptions Return to Paris. .... 273 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Reopening of my Fantastic Soir6es Minor Miseries of Good 
 Luck Inconvenience of a small Theatre My Room taken by 
 Storm A gratuitous Performance A conscientious Audience 
 Pleasant Story about a Black Silk Cap I perform at the Cha- 
 teau of St. Cloud Cagliostro's Casket Holidays. . 294
 
 CONTENTS. 11 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 PAQE 
 
 New Experiments Aerial Suspension, &c. -A Performance at the 
 OdSon A Friend in Need 1848 The Theatre deserted I 
 leave Paris for London Manager Mitchell Publicity in Eng- 
 land The Great Wizard A Butter-mould used as a Puff 
 Singular Bills A Prize for the best Pun. . . . 312 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 The St. James's Theatre Invasion of England by French Per- 
 formers A Fete patronised by the Queen The Diplomatist 
 and the Sleight-of-Hand Man Three Thousand Pounds taken 
 at one Haul I perform at Manchester The Spectators in 
 the Pillory What capital Cura90a! A Torrent of Wine A 
 Catastrophe Performance at Buckingham Palace A Wizard's 
 Repast. ......'. 330 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 An Optimist Manager Three Spectators in a Room A Magical 
 Collation The Colchester Public and the Nuts I return to 
 France I give up my Theatre A Farewell Tour I retire 
 to St. Gervais An Academician's Predictions. 359 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Travels in Algeria Convocation of the Chieftains Performances 
 before the Arabs A Kabyle rendered powerless Invulner- 
 ability A Moor disappears Panic and Flight of the Au- 
 dience Reconciliation The Sect of Ai'ssaoua Their pretend- 
 ed Miracles. 871
 
 12 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Excursion in the Interior of Africa The Abode of a Bash- 
 Aga A comical Repast A Soiree of Arab Dignitaries A 
 Marabout mystified Tent-life in Algeria I return to France 
 A terrible Storm Conclusion. .... 398 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 A COURSE OF MIRACLES. ..... 422 
 
 INDEX. . 437
 
 THE AUTHOR'S OVERTURE. 
 
 SAINT GERVAIS, NEAR BLOIS, 
 September, 1858. 
 
 EIGHT o'clock has just struck : my wife and children 
 are by my side. I have spent one of those pleasant days 
 which tranquillity, work, and study can alone secure. 
 With no regret for the past, with no fear for the future, I 
 am I am not afraid to say it as happy as man can be. 
 
 And yet, at each vibration of this mysterious hour, my 
 pulse starts, my temples throb, and I can scarce breathe, 
 so much do I feel the want of air and motion. I can 
 reply to no questions, so thoroughly am I lost in a strange 
 and delirious reverie. 
 
 Shall I confess to you, reader. And why not ? for this 
 electrical effect is not of a nature to be easily understood 
 by you. 
 
 The reason for my emotion being extreme at this moment 
 is, that, during my professional career, eight o'clock was 
 the moment when I must appear before the public. Then,
 
 14 THE AUTHOR'S OVERTURE. 
 
 with my eye eagerly fixed on the hole in the curtain, I 
 surveyed with intense pleasure the crowd that flocked in 
 to see me. Then, as now, my heart beat, for I was proud 
 and happy of such success. 
 
 At times, too, a doubt, a feeling of uneasiness, would 
 be mingled with my pleasure. "Heavens !" I would say 
 to myself, in terror, " am I so sure of myself as to deserve 
 such anxiety to see me ?" 
 
 But, soon reassured by the past, I waited with greater 
 calmness the signal for the curtain to draw up. I then 
 walked on the stage : I was near the foot-lights, before 
 my judges but no, I err before my kind spectators, 
 whose applause I was in hopes to gain. 
 
 Do you now understand, reader, all the reminiscences 
 this hour evokes in me, and the solemn feeling that con- 
 tinually occurs to me when the clock strikes ? 
 
 These emotions and souvenirs are not at all painful to 
 me : on the contrary, I summon them up with pleasure. 
 At times I even mentally transport myself to my stage, 
 in order to prolong them. There, as before, I ring the 
 bell, the curtain rises, I see my audience again, and, 
 under the charm of this sweet illusion, I delight in telling 
 them the most interesting episodes of my professional life. 
 I tell them how a man learns his real vocation, how the 
 struggle with difficulties of every nature begins, how, in 
 fact
 
 THE AUTHOR'S OVERTURE. 15 
 
 But why should I not convert this fiction into a reality ? 
 Could I not, each evening when the clock strikes eight, 
 continue my performances under another form ? My public 
 shall be the reader, and my stage a book. 
 
 This idea pleases me : I accept it with joy, and imme- 
 diately give way to the sweet illusion. Already I fancy 
 myself in the presence of spectators whose kindness 
 encourages me. I imagine they are waiting for me they 
 are listening eagerly. 
 
 Without further hesitation I begin. 
 
 ROBERT-HOUDIN.
 
 MEMOIRS 
 
 OF 
 
 KOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 My Birth and Parentage My Home The Lessons of Colonel Bernard 
 Paternal Ambition My first Mechanical Attempts Had I but a 
 Rat! A Prisoner's Industry The Abbe" Lariviere My Word of 
 Honor Farewell to my darling Tools. 
 
 IN conformity with the traditional custom which expects 
 every man who writes his memoirs or not to use too 
 strong language, his confessions to display his patent of 
 gentility, I commence by stating to my readers, with a 
 certain degree of pride, that I was horn at Blois, the 
 birthplace of Louis XII., surnamed the "Father of his 
 People," and of Denis Papin, the illustrious inventor of 
 the steam-engine. 
 
 So much for my native town. As for my family, it 
 would only appear natural, regard being had to the art to 
 which I devoted my life, that I should display in my 
 family tree the name of Robert le Diable, or of some 
 medizeval sorcerer ; but, being the very slave of truth, I 
 
 B
 
 18 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 will content myself with stating that my father was a 
 watchmaker. 
 
 Though he did not rise to the elevation of the Berthouds 
 and the Breguets, my father was reputed to be very skil- 
 ful in his profession. In fact, I am only displaying our 
 hereditary modesty when I say that my father's talents 
 were confined to a single art ; for, in truth, nature had 
 adapted him for various branches of mechanics, and the 
 activity of his mind led him to try them all with equal 
 ardor. An excellent engraver, a jeweller of the greatest 
 taste, he at the same time could carve the arm or leg for 
 some fractured statuette, restore the enamel on any time- 
 worn porcelain, or even repair musical snuff-boxes, which 
 were very fashionable in those days. The skill he evinced 
 in these varied arts at length procured him a most nume- 
 rous body of customers ; but, unfortunately, he was wont 
 to make any repairs not strictly connected with his own 
 business for the mere pleasure. 
 
 In this house, which I may almost term artistic, and in 
 the midst of tools and implements in which I was destined 
 to take so lively an interest, I was born and educated. I 
 possess an excellent memory, still, though my reminis- 
 cences date back so far, I cannot remember the day of 
 my birth. I have learned since, however, that it was the 
 6th of December, 1805. I am inclined to believe that I 
 came into the world with a file or a hammer in my hand, 
 for, from my earliest youth, those implements were my 
 toys and delight : I learned how to use them as other 
 children learn to walk and talk. I need not say that my 
 excellent mother had frequently to wipe away the young 
 mechanic's tears, when the hammer, badly directed, struck 
 my fingers. As for my father, he laughed at these slight 
 accidents, and said, jokingly, that it was a capital way of
 
 MY LOVE OF TOOLS. 19 
 
 driving my profession into me, and that, as I was a won- 
 derful lad, I could not but become an extraordinary work- 
 man. I do not pretend that I ever realized the paternal 
 predictions, but it is certain that I have ever felt an irre- 
 sistible inclination for mechanism. 
 
 How often, in my infantile dreams, did a benevolent 
 fairy open before me the door of a mysterious El Dorado, 
 where tools of every description were piled up. The 
 delight which these dreams produced on me, were the 
 same as any other child feels when his fancy summons up 
 before him a fantastic country where the houses are made 
 of chocolate, the stones of sugar candy, and the men of 
 gingerbread. It is difficult to understand this fever for 
 tools ; the mechanic, the artist adores them, and would 
 ruin himself to obtain them. Tools, in fact, are to him 
 what a MS. is to the archaeologist, a coin to the antiquary, 
 or a pack of cards to a gambler : in a word they are the 
 implements by which a ruling passion is fed. 
 
 By the time I was eight years of age I had furnished 
 proofs of my ability, partly through the kindness of an 
 excellent neighbor, and partly through a dangerous illness, 
 when my forced idleness gave me leisure to exercise my 
 natural dexterity. This neighbor, M. Bernard, was a 
 colonel on half-pay. Having been a prisoner for many 
 years, he had learned how to make an infinity of toys, 
 which he taught me as an amusement, and I profited so 
 well by his lessons, that in a very short time I could equal 
 my master. I fancy I can still see and hear this old sol- 
 dier, when, passing his hand over his heavy grey mous- 
 tache, he exclaimed with energetic satisfaction, " Why, 
 the young scamp can do anything he likes." This com- 
 pliment flattered my childish vanity, and I redoubled my 
 efforts to deserve it.
 
 20 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 With my illness my pleasures ended ; I was sent to 
 school, and from that time I had few opportunities for 
 indulging in my favorite tasks. Still, on my holidays, I 
 used to return to my father's workshop with delight, and, 
 yet, I must have been a great torment to that excellent 
 parent. Owing to my want of skill, I now and then 
 broke some tool, and although I might try to conceal it, 
 the blame was generally laid on me, and, as a punishment, 
 1 was forbidden to enter the workshop. But it was of no 
 use attempting to keep me from my hobby ; the prohibition 
 had to be continually renewed. Hence it was thought 
 advisable to attack the evil at the root, and I must be sent 
 away from home. 
 
 Although my father liked his trade, experience had 
 taught him that a watchmaker rarely makes a fortune in 
 a country town ; in his paternal ambition he, therefore, 
 dreamed a more brilliant destiny for me, and he formed 
 the determination of giving me a liberal education, for 
 which I shall always feel grateful to him. He sent me 
 to college at Orleans. I was then eleven years of age. 
 
 Let who will sing the praises of school life ; for my own 
 part I can safely state, that, though I was not averse from 
 study, the happiest day I spent in our monastic seminary 
 was that on which I left it for good. However, once 
 entered, I accepted my lot with resignation, and became in 
 a short time a perfect schoolboy. In my play hours my 
 time was well employed, for I spent the greater portion 
 of it in making pieces of mechanism. Thus I made 
 snares, gins, and mouse-traps, their excellent arrange- 
 ment, and perhaps the dainty bait as well, producing me 
 a great number of prisoners. 
 
 I had built for them a charming open cage, in which I 
 had fixed up a miniature gymnastic machinery. My pris-
 
 I GO TO SCHOOL. 21 
 
 oners, while taking their ease, set in motion a variety of 
 machines, which caused a most agreeable surprise. One 
 of my inventions more especially attracted the admiration 
 of my comrades ; it was a method of raising water by 
 means of a pump made almost entirely of quills. A 
 mouse, harnessed like a horse, was intended to set this 
 Lilliputian machine in motion by the muscular strength 
 of its legs ; but, unfortunately, my docile animal, though 
 perfectly willing, could not overcome the resistance of the 
 cog-wheels, and I was forced, to my great regret, to lend 
 it a hand. 
 
 "Ah! if I only had a rat!" I said to myself, in my 
 disappointment, "how famously it would work !" A rat ! 
 But how to get one ? That appeared to me an insur- 
 mountable difficulty, but, after all, it was not so. One 
 day, having been caught in the act of breaking bounds by 
 a monitor, I was awarded twelve hours' imprisonment. 
 This punishment, which I suffered for the first time, pro- 
 duced a violent effect on me : but in the midst of the sor- 
 rowful reflections inspired by the solitude, an idea dissipa- 
 ted my melancholy thoughts by offering a famous sugges- 
 tion. 
 
 I knew that at nightfall the rats used to come from an 
 adjacent church into the cell where I was confined, to 
 regale on the bread-crumbs left by prisoners. It was a 
 capital opportunity to obtain one of the animals I required ; 
 and as I would not let it slip, I straight-way set about 
 inventing a rat-trap. My only materials were a pitcher 
 holding water, and, consequently, my ideas were confined 
 exclusively to this. I, therefore, made the following 
 arrangement. v -* 
 
 I began by emptying my pitcher ; then, after putting 
 in a piece of bread, I laid it down so that the orifice was
 
 22 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 on a level with the ground. My object was to attract the 
 victim by this dainty into the trap. A brick which I dug 
 up would serve to close the opening, but as it was impos- 
 sible for me in the darkness to notice the exact moment 
 for cutting off the prisoner's retreat, I laid near the bread 
 a piece of paper which would rustle as the rat passed 
 over it. 
 
 As soon as night set in, I crouched close to my pitcher, 
 and, holding the brick in my hand, I awaited with feverish 
 anxiety the arrival of my guests. The pleasure I antici- 
 pated from the capture must have been excessive to over- 
 come my timidity when I heard the first leaps of my 
 savage visitors. I confess that the antics they performed 
 round my legs occasioned me great nervousness, for I 
 knew not how far the voracity of these intrepid rodents 
 might extend ; still, I kept my ground, not making the 
 slightest movement, through fear of compromising the 
 success of my scheme, and was prepared to offer the 
 assailants a vigorous resistance in case of an attack. 
 
 More than an hour passed in vain expectation, and I 
 was beginning to despair of the success of my trap, when 
 I fancied I heard the slight sound I hoped for as a signal. 
 I laid the brick on the mouth of the pitcher directly, and 
 raised it up ; the shrill cries inside convinced me of my 
 success, and I began a paean of triumph, both to celebrate 
 my victory and to frighten away my prisoner's comrades. 
 The porter, when he came to release me, helped me to 
 master my rat by fastening a piece of twine to one of his 
 hind legs, and burdened with my precious booty, I pro- 
 ceeded to the dormitory, where masters and pupils had 
 been asleep for a long time. I was glad enough to sleep 
 too, but a difficulty presented itself how should I bestow 
 my prisoner ?
 
 A NOVEL RAT-TRAP. 23 
 
 At length a bright idea occurred to me, fully worthy of 
 a schoolboy : it was to thrust the rat headforemost into 
 one of my shoes. After fastening the twine to the leg 
 of my bed, I pushed the shoe into one of my stockings, 
 and placed the whole in the leg of my trousers. This 
 being accomplished, I believed I could go to bed without 
 the slightest cause for apprehension. The next morning, 
 at five exactly, the inspector took a turn through the dor- 
 mitory to arouse the sleepers. 
 
 "Dress yourself directly," he said, in that amiable voice 
 peculiaV to gentlemen who have risen too soon. 
 
 I proceeded to obey but I was fated to dire disgrace : 
 the rat I had packed away so carefully, not finding its 
 quarters airy enough, had thought proper to gnaw through 
 my shoe, my stocking, and my trouser, and was taking 
 the air through this improvised window. Fortunately, it 
 had not cut through the retaining string, so the rest was 
 a trifle. 
 
 But the inspector did not regard matters in the same 
 light as I did. The capture of a rat and the injury to 
 my clothes were considered further aggravations of my 
 previous offence, and he sent in a lengthy report to the 
 head-master. I was obliged to appear before the latter 
 dressed in the clothes that bore the proof of my offence, 
 and, by an unlucky coincidence, shoe, stocking and trou- 
 ser were all injured on the same leg. The Abbd Larivi&re 
 (our head-master) managed the college with truly paternal 
 care ; ever just, and prone by nature to forgiveness, he 
 was adored by his pupils, and to be out of favor with him 
 was regarded as the severest punishment. 
 
 "Well, Robert," he said to me, looking kindly over the 
 spectacles which bridged the end of his nose, " I under- 
 stand you have been guilty of grave faults. Come, tell 
 me the whole truth."
 
 24 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 I possessed at that time a quality which, I trust, I have 
 not lost since, and that is extreme frankness. I gave the 
 Abbe* a full account of my misdeeds, and my sincerity 
 gained me pardon. The head-master, after a vain attempt 
 to repress it, burst into a loud fit of laughter, on hearing 
 the catastrophe of my adventures. Still, he ended his 
 gentle lecture in the following words : 
 
 "I will not scold you any more, Robert. I believe in 
 your repentance : twelve hours' confinement are sufficient 
 punishment, and I grant you your release. I will do 
 more : though you are very young, I will treat you as 
 a man of honor, though you understand me? You 
 will pledge me your word not only that you will not com- 
 mit your old faults again, but, as your passion for me- 
 chanics makes you often neglect your lessons, you must 
 promise to give up your tools, and devote yourself hence- 
 forth to study." 
 
 " Oh yes, sir, I give you my word," I exclaimed, moved 
 to tears by such unexpected indulgence; "and I can 
 assure you, you will never repent having put faith in my 
 promise." 
 
 " I made up my mind to keep my pledge, although I 
 was fully aware of all the difficulties, which were so many 
 stumbling-blocks in that path of virtue I wished to follow. 
 Much trouble, I had too, at first, in withstanding the 
 jests and sarcasms of the idler of my comrades, who, in 
 order to hide their own bad conduct, strove to make all 
 weak characters their accomplices. Still, I broke with 
 them all. Sharpest pang of all, though, was the sacrifice 
 I made in burning my vessels that is, in putting aside 
 my cages and their contents ; I even forgot my tools, and 
 thus, free from all external distraction, I devoted myself 
 entirely to my Greek and Latin studies.
 
 I LEAVE COLLEGE. 25 
 
 The praise I received from the Abbd Larivie're, who 
 prided himself in having noticed in me the stuff for an 
 excellent scholar, rewarded me for this sublime effort, 
 and I may say I became, thenceforth, one of the most 
 studious and attentive lads in the college. At times, I 
 certainly regretted my tools and my darling machinery, 
 but recollecting my promise to the head-master, I held 
 firm against all temptation. All I allowed myself was to 
 set down by stealth on paper a few ideas that occurred to 
 me, though I did not know whether I should ever have a 
 chance to put them in practice. 
 
 At length the moment arrived for my leaving college ; 
 my studies were completed I was eighteen years of age.
 
 26 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 A Country Idler Dr. Carlosbach, Conjurer and Professor of Mystifica- 
 tion The Sand-bag and the Stirrup Trick I turn Lawyer's Clerk, 
 and the Minutes appear to me very long A small Automaton Are- 
 spectful Protest I mount a Step in the Office A Machine of Por- 
 ter's Power The Acrobatic Canaries; Monsieur Roger's Remon- 
 strances My Father decides that I shall follow my bent. 
 
 IN the story I have just narrated, only simple events 
 were noticeable hardly worthy, perhaps, of a man who 
 has often passed for a sorcerer but grant me a few 
 pages' patience, reader, as an introduction to my artistic 
 life, and what you seek in my book will be displayed be- 
 fore your eager gaze. You will know how a magician is 
 produced, and you will learn that the tree whence my 
 magic staff was cut was only that of persevering labor, 
 often bedewed by the sweat of my brow : soon, too, when 
 you come to witness my labors and my anxious hours of 
 expectation, you will be able to appreciate the cost of a 
 reputation in my mysterious art. 
 
 On leaving college, I at first enjoyed all the liberty I 
 had been deprived of for so many years. The power of 
 going right or left, of speaking or remaining silent, as I 
 listed, of getting up sooner or later, according to my 
 fancy, was an earthly paradise for a collegian. I enjoy- 
 ed this ineffable pleasure to the fullest extent : thus, in 
 the morning although habit made me wake at five
 
 DR. CARLOSBACH. 27 
 
 when the clock announced that once so dreaded hour, I 
 burst into a loud laugh, and offered ferocious challenges to 
 any number of invisible superintendents ; then, satisfied by 
 this slight retrospective vengeance, I went to sleep again 
 till breakfast. After that meal I went out to indulge in 
 a pleasant lounge about the streets ; and I preferred walk- 
 ing in the public promenades, for thus I had better chances 
 of finding something to attract my attention. In a word, 
 not an event happened which I did not know, and I was 
 the real amateur "penny-a-liner" of my native town. 
 
 Many of these incidents afforded very slight interest ; 
 one day, however, I witnessed a scene which produced a 
 lasting effect upon me. One after-dinner, while walking 
 along the side of the Loire, engaged with the thoughts 
 suggested by the falling autumn leaves, I was aroused from 
 my reverie by the sound of a trumpet, evidently blown 
 by a practised performer. It may be easily supposed that 
 I was not the last to obey this startling summons, and a 
 few other idlers also formed a circle round the performer. 
 
 He was a tall fellow with a quick eye, a sunburnt face, 
 long and crispy hair, and he stemmed his fist in his side, 
 while he held his head impudently high. His costume, 
 though rather "loud," was still cleanly, and announced 
 a man who probably had "some hay in his boots," to use 
 a favorite phrase of gentlemen in the same profession. 
 He wore a maroon-colored frock-coat, trimmed with large 
 silver frogs, while round his neck was a black silk cravat, 
 the two ends being passed through a jewelled ring, which 
 a millionaire would not have disdained had it not un- 
 fortunately been paste. He wore no waistcoat, but his 
 shirt was remarkably white, and on it glistened a heavy 
 mosaic chain, with a collection of appendages, whose 
 metallic sound loudly announced his every movement.
 
 28 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 I had ample time to make these observations, for as the 
 audience collected but slowly, the stranger continued his 
 trumpet overture for a quarter of an hour ; at length, when 
 an average crowd had assembled, the trumpet made way 
 for the human voice. The artist laid the instrument on 
 the ground, and walked round majestically to form a ring ; 
 then, stopping, he passed his hand through his hair, and 
 began his address. Being little used to this charlatanism 
 in the streets, I regarded the man with confiding admira- 
 tion and determined not to lose a word of his address. 
 
 "Gentlemen," he commenced, in a firm and sonorous 
 voice, "pray hear me. I am not what I seem to be; I 
 may say more, I am what I do not seem to be. Yes, gen- 
 tlemen, yes confess it you take me for one of those 
 scurvy beggars who want to draw a few halfpence from 
 your generosity. Well, you may undeceive yourselves. 
 Though you see me on this spot to-day, I tell you that I 
 have only come here for the relief of suffering humanity 
 in general, then for your welfare in particular, as well as 
 for your amusement." 
 
 Here the orator, whose accent plainly showed that he 
 came from the banks of the Garonne, passed his hand 
 once more through his hair, raised his head, sucked his 
 lips, and, assuming an air of majestic dignity, continued : 
 
 "I will tell you presently who I am, and you will be 
 able to estimate me at my true value ; in the mean while 
 allow me to offer you a slight specimen of my skill." 
 
 The artist, having then formed the circle afresh, placed 
 before him a small table, on which he arranged three tin 
 goblets, so well polished that they might have been taken 
 for silver ; after which he fastened round his waist a red 
 cotton velvet bag, into which he thrust his hands for some 
 minutes doubtlessly to prepare the tricks he intended to 
 display and the performance commenced.
 
 A PUBLIC BENEFACTOR. 29 
 
 During a long series of tricks, the nutmegs, at first in- 
 visible, appeared at the finger ends of the conjuror ; then, 
 they passed through the cups, under the table, into a 
 spectator's pockets, and finally emerged, to the general 
 delight, from the nose of a young looker-on. The latter 
 took the matter quite seriously, and half killed himself 
 with sneezing, to see whether a few more spice balls might 
 not be left in his brain. The address with which these 
 tricks were done, and the apparent simplicity of the oper- 
 ator in the execution of these ingenious artifices, produced 
 the most perfect illusion at least, as far as I was con- 
 cerned. 
 
 It was the first time I had ever witnessed such a sight : 
 I was stupefied, astounded ! The man who could perform 
 such marvels at his will seemed to me a superhuman being ; 
 hence I saw him put aside his cups with considerable re- 
 gret. The audience seemed equally charmed ; the artist 
 perceived it, and took advantage of it, by making a sign 
 that he had a few mere words to say. Then, resting his 
 hand on the table, he proceeded : 
 
 " Ladies and gentlemen ! I was very pleased to notice 
 the kind attention you devoted to my tricks, and I thank 
 you for it" (here the conjuror bowed to the ground); 
 " and, as I am anxious to prove that you have not to deal 
 with an ungrateful person, I will attempt to repay in full 
 the satisfaction you have made me feel. Deign to listen 
 to me for a moment. 
 
 " I promised to tell you what I am ; I will now satisfy 
 you." (Sudden change of countenance, and evidence of 
 great self-esteem.) "You behold in me the celebrated 
 Dr. Carlosbach : the composition of my name reveals to 
 you my Anglo-Francisco-Germanic origin. To praise 
 myself would be like painting the lily ; I will, therefore,
 
 30 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 content myself with saying that I possess an enormous 
 talent, and that my astounding reputation can only be 
 equalled by my modesty. Elected, by acclamation, mem- 
 ber of the most illustrious learned societies through the 
 whole world, I incline before their judgment, which pro- 
 claims the superiority of my skill in the grand art of 
 curing the human race." 
 
 This address, as strange as it was emphatic, was de- 
 livered with imperturbable assurance; still I fancied I 
 noticed a twitching of the lips, that revealed the grand 
 doctor's ill-restrained desire to laugh. For all that, I lis- 
 tened attentively to his discourse. 
 
 "But, gentlemen," he added, "I have said sufficient 
 of myself ; it is time to speak of my works. Learn then, 
 that I am the inventor of the Vermifuge Balsam, whose 
 sovereign efficaciousness is indisputable. Yes, gentlemen, 
 the worm, that enemy of the human race the worm, the 
 destroyer of everything existing the worm, that obsti- 
 nate preyer on the living and the dead, is at length con- 
 quered by my science ; a drop, an atom of this precious 
 liquor is sufficient to expel this fearful parasite for ever. 
 
 " And, gentlemen, such is the virtue of my marvellous 
 balsam, that it not only delivers man from this frightful 
 calamity during life, but his body has nothing to fear after 
 death. Taking my balsam is a mode of embalming one's 
 body prior to death; man is thus rendered immortal. 
 Ah! gentlemen, were you but acquainted with all the 
 virtues of my sublime discovery, you would rush upon me 
 and tear it from me ; but, as that would be illegal, I check 
 myself in time." 
 
 The orator, in fact, stopped, and dried his brow with 
 one hand, while with the other he motioned to the crowd 
 that he had not yet ended his discourse. A great number
 
 BOUGHT AND SOLD. 31 
 
 of the audience were already striving to approach the 
 learned doctor; Carlosbach, however, did not appear to 
 notice it, and, reassuming his dramatic posture, he con- 
 tinued as follows : 
 
 " But, you will ask me, what can be the price of such 
 a treasure ? can we be rich enough to purchase it ? The 
 moment has now arrived, gentlemen, to make you under- 
 stand the full extent of my disinterestedness. This bal- 
 sam, in the discovery of which I have worn away my 
 days this balsam, which sovereigns have purchased at 
 the price of their crown this balsam, in short, which is 
 beyond all price well, I make you a present of it !" 
 
 At these unexpected words, the crowd, panting with 
 emotion, lifted up its eager arms, and implored the gene- 
 rosity of the doctor. But, what shameful deception ! 
 Carlosbach the celebrated Dr. Carlosbach this bene- 
 factor of humanity, suddenly altered his tone, and burst 
 into an Homeric shout of laughter. The arms fell down 
 spontaneously ; the audience looked vacantly into each 
 other's faces. At length one laughed. The contagion 
 spread, and soon everybody was following the conjurer's 
 example. He was the first to stop, and demanded silence : 
 
 " Gentlemen !" he then said, in a perfectly respectful 
 tone, " do not be angry with me for the little trick I have 
 played you; I wished thus to put you on your guard 
 against those charlatans who daily deceive you, just as I 
 have done myself. I am no doctor, but simply a conjurer, 
 professor of mystification, and author of a book, in which 
 you will find, in addition to the discourse I have just de- 
 livered, the description of a great number of conjuring 
 tricks. Would you like to learn the art of amusing your- 
 self in society ? For sixpence you may satisfy your 
 curiosity."
 
 32 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 The conjurer produced from a box an enormous packet 
 of books ; then, going round the crowd, he soon disposed 
 of his wares, thanks to the interest his talent had excited. 
 The exhibition was over, and I returned home with my 
 head full of a world of unknown sensations. 
 
 It will be readily supposed that I purchased one of these 
 precious volumes. I hastened to examine it ; but the false 
 doctor continued his system of mystification in it, and 
 despite all my good will, I could not understand one of the 
 tricks he pretended to explain. However, I had the fa- 
 mous speech I have just quoted, as some sort of consolation. 
 
 I made up my mind to lay the book aside and think no 
 more of it ; but the marvels it announced returned to my 
 mind every moment. " Carlosbach !" I said in my 
 modest ambition, " if I possessed your talent, how happy 
 I should feel !" and, filled with this idea, I decided on 
 taking lessons of the learned professor. Unfortunately, 
 this determination was arrived at too late. When I pro- 
 ceeded to his lodgings, I learned that the conjuror had 
 resorted to his own tricks, and had left his inn the previous 
 evening, forgetting to pay the princely score he had run 
 up. The innkeeper gave me the account of this last 
 mystification on the part of the professor. 
 
 Carlosbach had arrived at his house with two trunks of 
 unequal size and very heavy ; on the larger of them was 
 painted " Conjuring Apparatus," on the other, " Cloth- 
 ing." The conjuror, who stated that he had received 
 various invitations to perform at the adjacent chateaux, 
 had set off the evening before to fulfil one of these engage- 
 ments. He had only taken with him one of his trunks, 
 that containing the apparatus ; and it was supposed he 
 had left the other in his room as a security for the bill he 
 had run up. The next day the host, surprised at finding his
 
 THE STIRRUP TRICK. 33 
 
 lodger still absent, thought it advisable to place his traps 
 in some safe place. He, therefore, went into his bedroom ; 
 but the two trunks had disappeared, and in their place was 
 an enormous bag filled with sand, on which was written : 
 
 THE MYSTIFYING BAG. 
 THE STIRRUP TRICK. 
 
 ^continued for some time longer to enjoy the contem- 
 plative life I had been pursuing ; but at last satiety assailed 
 me, and I was quite surprised one day at finding myself 
 wearied of this life of idleness. My father, like a man 
 who could read the human heart, had awaited this moment 
 to talk seriously with me ; he, therefore, took me aside 
 one morning, and said, without further preface, in a kindly 
 voice : 
 
 " My good boy, you have now quitted college with a 
 sound education, and I have allowed you to enjoy fully 
 the liberty for which you seemed to aspire. But you must 
 see this is not sufficient for a livelihood ; you must now 
 enter on the world resolutely, and apply your parts to the 
 profession you wish to embrace. That profession it is now 
 time to choose ; you have doubtlessly some inclination, 
 some bias, and you must let me know it ; speak, then, and 
 you will find me inclined to second your views." 
 
 Although my father had frequently expressed his fears 
 lest I should follow his trade, I thought, after these re- 
 marks, he had changed his mind, and I joyfully said : 
 
 " Of course I have an inclination, and you cannot be 
 ignorant of it, for it is of very old standing. You know I 
 never wished to be other than " 
 
 My father guessed my thoughts, and would not allow 
 me to finish.
 
 34 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 "I see," he objected, "that you did not understand 
 me, and I must explain my meaning more clearly. My 
 desire is for you to choose a profession more lucrative 
 than my own. Consider, it would be unreasonable to 
 bury the ten years' schooling for which I made such 
 heavy sacrifices in my shop ; remember, too, that, after 
 thirty-five years' hard work, I have been hardly able to 
 save sufficient provision for my old age. Then, pray, 
 change your resolution, and give up your mania for mak- 
 ing a * parcel of filings.' " 
 
 My father, in this, merely followed the idea of many 
 parents, who can only see the disagreeable side of their 
 own trade. To this prejudice, I must allow, he added the 
 praiseworthy ambition of the head of a family desirous 
 that his son should rise a step higher on the social ladder 
 than himself. 
 
 As I was utterly ignorant of all other professions or 
 trades save that of a mechanician, I was unable to appre- 
 ciate them, or consequently select one ; hence I remained 
 dumb. In vain did my father try to draw an answer from 
 me by explaining the advantages I should derive from 
 being a surgeon or chemist, a barrister or a solicitor. 
 I could only repeat that I placed implicit confidence in his 
 wisdom and experience. This self-denial and passive obe- 
 dience appeared to touch him ; I noticed it, and wishing 
 to make a final attack on his determination, I said to him : 
 
 " Before making up my mind to any decided choice of 
 profession, allow me to offer one observation. Are you 
 sure that it is your trade which is impossible of extension, 
 or is it owing to the smallness of the town in which you 
 have carried it on ? Let me follow my own bent, I be- 
 seech you, and when I have become a good workman by 
 your instruction, I will go to Paris and make a fortune 
 there; I feel quite convinced I can do so."
 
 CHOOSING A PROEESSION. 35 
 
 Fearing lest he might give way, my father tried to cut 
 the conversation short by evading a reply to my objection. 
 
 " As you leave it to me," he said, " I advise you to be- 
 come a solicitor ; with your natural parts, aided by appli- 
 cation and good conduct, I am certain you will make your 
 way famously." 
 
 Two days later I was installed in one of the best offices 
 at Blois, and, owing to my caligraphy, I was employed as 
 a copying clerk, and in engrossing from morning till night, 
 though rarely understanding what I was writing. My 
 readers can readily guess that this mechanical work could 
 not long satisfy the turn of my mind ; pens, ink, and 
 paper were most unsuitable articles to carry out the in- 
 ventive ideas which continually occurred to me. Fortu- 
 nately, at that period, steel pens were unknown ; hence I 
 had a resource in making my pens, to which I devoted the 
 best part of my time. This simple fact will suffice to give 
 an idea of the deep spleen which weighed upon me like a 
 coating of lead, and I should have certainly fallen ill, had 
 I not found more attractive employment. 
 
 Among the mechanical curiosities entrusted to my father 
 for repair, I had noticed a snuff-box, on the top of which 
 a small piece of mechanism attracted my entire attention. 
 The top of the box represented a landscape. On pressing 
 a spring, a hare made its appearance, and went towards a 
 tuft of grass, which it began to crop ; soon after a sports- 
 man emerged from a thicket accompanied by a pointer. 
 The miniature Nimrod stopped at the sight of the game, 
 shouldered his gun and fired; a noise indicative of the 
 explosion of a fire-arm was heard, and the hare, apparently 
 wounded, disappeared in the thicket, pursued by the dog. 
 
 This pretty piece of mechanism excited my desires in 
 an eminent degree, but I could not hope to possess it, as
 
 36 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 the owner, in addition to the value he attached to it, had 
 no reason to dispose of it, and, besides, my pecuniary 
 means were insufficient. As I could not make the article 
 my own, I determined, at least, to keep it in remem- 
 brance, and drew a careful plan of it without my father's 
 knowledge. This only more inflamed my desires, and I 
 began to ask myself whether I could not make an exact 
 copy of it. 
 
 Seeing no extreme difficulty in this, I rose at daybreak 
 each morning, and, going down to my father's workshop, 
 I worked till the hour when he used to begin work. Then 
 I rearranged the tools exactly as I had found them, locked 
 up my work carefully, and proceeded to my office. The 
 joy I experienced in finding my mechanism act was only 
 equalled by the pleasure I felt in presenting it to my 
 father, as an indirect and respectful protest against the 
 determination he had formed as to my choice of a trade. 
 I had some difficulty in persuading him that I had not 
 been assisted by any one in my work, but when at last I 
 removed his doubts, he could not refrain from compliment- 
 ing me. 
 
 " It is a pity," he said, thoughtfully, " that you cannot 
 profit by your turn for mechanism ; but," he added, sud- 
 denly, as if seeking to dispel an idea that troubled him, 
 "you had better take no pride in your skill, for it may in- 
 jure your prospects." 
 
 For more than a year I performed the duties of amateur 
 that is, unpaid clerk and I was then offered a situa- 
 tion by a country solicitor as second clerk, with a small 
 salary. I accepted this unexpected promotion very readily ; 
 but, once installed in my new duties, I found that my em- 
 ployer had deceived me as to their range. The situation 
 I occupied was that of office-boy, having to run on errands,
 
 A NOVEL ALARUM. 87 
 
 for the first and only clerk could more than attend to the 
 business. I certainly earned some money : it was the first 
 I had gained by my own labor, and this consideration 
 gilded the pill, which was rather bitter to my pride. Be- 
 sides, M. Roger (such was my new master's name) was 
 certainly the . best fellow in the world. His manner, full 
 of kindness and sympathy, had attracted me the first time 
 I saw him, and I may add that his behavior towards me 
 was most agreeable during the time I remained in his 
 office. 
 
 This gentleman, the personification of probity, possessed 
 the confidence of the Due d'Avaray, whose estate he man- 
 aged, and being full of zeal for his noble client's business, 
 he devoted more attention to it than to his office. At 
 Avaray legal business was very scarce, and we had hardly 
 enough to fill up our time. For my own part, I had many 
 leisure hours, which my kind master enabled me to employ 
 by placing his library at my service. I had the good for- 
 tune to find in it Linnseus's Treaty on Botany, and I 
 learned the rudiments of that science. 
 
 The study of botany required time, and I could only 
 devote to it the hours prior to the office opening. Unfor- 
 tunately, I had become a tremendous sleeper I hardly 
 know how and I could not manage to get up before 
 eight o'clock. I resolved to conquer this obstinate somno- 
 lency, and I invented a waking apparatus, "which, from its 
 originality, deserves honorable mention here. 
 
 The room I occupied formed a portion of the Chateau 
 d'Avaray, and was situated over an archway, closed by a 
 heavy gate. Having noticed that the porter opened this 
 gate, which led into the gardens, every morning, the idea 
 occurred to me of profiting by this circumstance to insti- 
 tute an energetic alarum. This is how I managed it.
 
 38 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 When I went to bed, I fastened to one of my legs the end 
 of a cord, which, passing through niy half-opened window, 
 was attached to the upper part of the iron gate. When 
 the porter pushed the gate open, he dragged me, when 
 least expecting it, to the middle of my bedroom. Thus 
 violently roused from sleep, I tried to hold on by the bed- 
 clothes ; but the more I resisted, the more did the pitiless 
 porter push on his side, and I at length woke up to hear 
 him always abusing the hinges, which he determined to oil 
 before the day was out. Then, I unloosed my leg, and, 
 with my Linnaeus in my hand, I went to interrogate Na- 
 ture on her admirable secrets, the study of which caused 
 me to spend many pleasant hours. 
 
 As much to please my father as to scrupulously fulfil 
 my duties in my new office, I had promised to pay no more 
 attention to mechanical inventions for I feared their 
 irresistible attraction and I had religiously kept my 
 word. There was, then, every reason to believe that I 
 should pass through all my grades creditably, and some 
 day, in my turn, become Maitre Robert, solicitor, in some 
 country town. But Providence, in her decrees, had traced 
 out a very diiferent route for me, and my stern resolutions 
 were routed by a temptation too powerful for my courage. 
 In our office there was, strangely enough, a magnificent 
 aviary filled with canaries, whose song and plumage were 
 intended to difpel the impatience of a client forced by 
 some accident to wait. This cage being considered a por- 
 tion of the office furniture, I was bound, as errand-boy, to 
 keep it in a proper state of cleanliness, and provide the 
 food of the denizens. This was the branch of my duties 
 I performed with the greatest zeal : in fact, I bestowed so 
 much care on the comfort and amusement of the birds, 
 that they soon absorbed nearly all my time.
 
 A WONDERFUL AVIARY. 39 
 
 I began by setting up in this cage a number of mechan- 
 ical tricks I had invented at college under similar circum- 
 stances. I gradually added fresh ones, and ended by 
 making the cage a work of art and curiosity, affording 
 considerable attraction to our visitors. At one spot was 
 a perch, near which the sugar and the seed-glass displayed 
 their attractions ; but no sooner had the innocent canary 
 placed its foot on the fatal perch, than a circular cage en- 
 compassed it, and it was kept a prisoner until another bird, 
 perching on an adjoining piece of wood, set loose a spring, 
 which delivered the captive. At another place were baths 
 and pumps; further on was a small trough, so arranged, 
 that the nearer the bird seemed to draw to it the further 
 off it really was. Lastly, each denizen of the cage was 
 obliged to earn its food by drawing forward with its beak 
 small pasteboards carts. 
 
 The pleasure I felt in carrying out these small schemes 
 soon made me forget I was in a lawyer's office for any 
 other purpos* than to be at the beck and call of canaries. 
 The chief clerk drew my attention to it, and added some 
 just remonstrances ; but I had always a protest ready, and 
 continued making daily improvements in the aviary. At 
 length, matters reached such a point, that the supreme 
 authority, that is to say my master in person, felt it his 
 duty to interfere. 
 
 " Robert," he said to me, assuming an earnest tone, 
 which he rarely employed towards his clerks, " when you 
 came into my office you were aware it was to devote your- 
 self exclusively to business, and not to satisfy your own 
 thirst for pleasure; warnings have been given you to re- 
 turn your duty, and you have paid no attention to them ; 
 I am, therefore, obliged to tell you that you must either 
 decide on giving up your mechanical fancies, or I must 
 send you home to your father."
 
 40 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-IIOUDIN. 
 
 And the worthy Monsieur Roger stopped, as if to draw 
 breath after the reproaches he had given me, I am sure 
 much against his will. After a moment's silence, he re- 
 assumed his paternal tone, and said to me : 
 
 "And now, my friend, will you let me give you a piece 
 of advice ? I have studied you, and feel convinced you 
 will never be more than a very ordinary clerk, and, con- 
 sequently, a still more ordinary notary, while you might 
 become an excellent mechanician. It would be, then, wiser 
 for you to give up a profession in which- you have such 
 slight prospect of success, and follow that for which you 
 evince such remarkable aptitude." 
 
 The kindly tone M. Roger assumed induced me to open 
 my heart to him. I told him of my father's determination 
 to keep me from his own trade, and described to him all 
 the vexation I had felt from it. 
 
 "Your father fancied he was acting for the best," he 
 replied to me, " by putting you in a profession more lu- 
 crative than his own ; he thought he shoul^. only have a 
 simple boyish fancy to overcome, but I am persuaded it is 
 an irresistible vocation, against which you should no longer 
 struggle. I will see your parents to-morrow, and I have 
 no doubt I shall induce them to change their opinion 
 about your future prospects in life." 
 
 Since I quitted my father's house he had sold his busi- 
 ness, and had retired to a small property he had near 
 Blois. My master went to see him as he had promised 
 me ; a long conversation ensued, and after numerous ob- 
 jections on both sides, the lawyer's eloquence vanquished 
 my father's scruples, and he at length yielded. 
 
 "Well," he said, "as he absolutely desires it, let him 
 follow my trade. And, as I cannot instruct him myself, 
 my nephew, who is a pupil of mine, will act towards my 
 son as I did towards him."
 
 BRIGHTER PROSPECTS. 41 
 
 This news overwhelmed me with joy : it seemed as if I 
 were entering on a new life, and the fortnight I had yet 
 to spend at Avaray seemed to me terribly long. At 
 length I set out for Blois, and the day after my arrival 
 found me seated before a vice, file in hand, and receiving 
 my first lessons in watchmaking from my relative.
 
 42 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 My Cousin Robert The most important Event in my Life How a 
 Man becomes a Sorcerer My firsf Sleight-of-Hand Feat An utter 
 Failure Practising the Eye and the Hand Curious Experiment in 
 Prestidigitation Monsieur Noriet An Action more ingenious than 
 delicate I am Poisoned Influence of Delirium. 
 
 BEFORE speaking of my labors in the watchmaker's 
 shop, I must introduce my readers to my new master. 
 And, in the first place, to set myself right, I will say that 
 my cousin Robert, as I used to call him, has been since 
 my first connexion with him, one of my best and dearest 
 friends. It would be difficult, in fact, to imagine a more 
 happy character, a heart more affectionate and devoted. 
 
 With a rare intelligence, my cousin combined other 
 equally valuable qualities. He possessed a graceful ad- 
 dress, which, without flattery, I may say is peculiar to our 
 family, and he was justly considered the first watchmaker 
 in Blois, a town which has long excelled in the horologic 
 art. 
 
 My cousin began by teaching me how to "make Idlings," 
 as my father called it, but I required no apprenticeship to 
 learn the use of tools, and hence the outset was not so 
 painful as it is usually to novice4. From the beginning 
 of my apprenticeship I was enabled to undertake small 
 jobs, which gained me my master's praise. Yet I would 
 not have it supposed I was a model pupil, for I had still
 
 MY NOSE ON THE GRINDSTONE. 43 
 
 rife in me that spirit of investigation which drew down 
 upon me several reprimands from my cousin, and I could 
 not endure to confine my imagination to the ideas of an- 
 other person. I was continually inventing or improving. 
 
 My whole life through, this passion or, if you will, 
 mania has held sway over me. I never could fix my 
 thoughts on any task without trying to introduce some 
 improvement, or strike out a novel idea. But this tem- 
 perament eventually so favorable was at this period 
 very prejudicial to my progress. Before following my own 
 inspirations and yielding to my fancies, I ought to have 
 learned the secrets of my art, and, in fact, dispelled all 
 ideas which were only adapted to make me diverge from 
 the true principles of clockmaking. 
 
 Such was the sense of the paternal observations made 
 now and then by my cousin, and I was obliged to recog- 
 nize their justice. Then I would go to work again with 
 redoubled zeal, though groaning inwardly at . the bonds 
 that fettered my genius. In order to aid my progress and 
 afford me relaxation, my master recommended me to study 
 some treatises on mechanics in general, and on clockmak- 
 ing in particular. As this suited my taste exactly, I 
 gladly assented, and I was devoting myself passionately 
 to this attractive study, when a circumstance, apparently 
 most simple, suddenly decided my future life, by reveal- 
 ing to me a vocation whose mysterious resources must 
 open a vast field for my inventive and fanciful ideas. 
 
 One evening I went into a bookseller's shop to buy Ber- 
 thoud's "Treatise on Clockmaking," which I knew he had. 
 The tradesman being engaged at the moment on matters 
 more important, took down two volumes from the shelves 
 and handed them to me without ceremony. On returning 
 home, I sat down to peruse my treatise conscientiously,
 
 44 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 but judge of my surprise when I read on the back of one 
 the volumes " SCIENTIFIC AMUSEMENTS." Astonished at 
 finding such a title on a professional work, I opened it 
 impatiently, and, on running through the table of con- 
 tents, my surprise was doubled on reading these strange 
 phrases : 
 
 The way of performing tricks with the cards How to 
 guess a person s thoughts To cut off a pigeon s head, to 
 restore it to life, ^c., c. 
 
 The bookseller had made a mistake. In his haste, he 
 had given me two volumes of the Encyclopaedia instead of 
 Berthoud. Fascinated, however, by the announcement of 
 such marvels, I devoured the mysterious pages, and the 
 further my reading advanced, the more I saw laid bare be- 
 fore me the secrets of an art for which I was unconsciously 
 predestined. 
 
 I fear I shall be accused of exaggeration, or at least 
 not be understood by many of my readers, when I say 
 that this discovery caused me the greatest joy I had ever 
 experienced. At this moment a secret presentiment 
 warned me that success, perhaps glory, would one day ac- 
 crue to me in the apparent realization of the marvellous 
 and impossible, and fortunately these presentiments did 
 not err. 
 
 The resemblance between two books, and the hurry of a 
 bookseller, were the common-place causes of the most im- 
 portant event in my life. 
 
 It may be urged that different circumstances might have 
 suggested this profession to me at a later date. It is pro- 
 bable ; but then I should have had no time for it. Would 
 any workman, artisan, or tradesman give up a certainty, 
 however slight it may be, to yield to a passion which 
 would be surely regarded as a mania ? Hence my irresis-
 
 THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT OF MY LIFE. 45 
 
 tible penchant for the mysterious could only be followed 
 at this precise period of my life. 
 
 How often since have I blessed this providential error, 
 without which I should have probably vegetated as a 
 country watchmaker ! My life would have been spent in 
 gentle monotony ; I should have been spared many suffer- 
 ings, emotions, and shocks ; but, on the other hand, what 
 lively sensations, what profound delight would have been 
 sacrificed ! 
 
 I was eagerly devouring every line of the magic book 
 which described the astounding tricks ; my head was 
 a-glow, and I at times gave way to thoughts which plunged 
 me in ecstasy. Still the hours slipped away, and while 
 my mind was indulging in fanciful dreams, I did not 
 notice that my candle had burned down in the socket. 
 How can I describe my disappointment when it suddenly 
 went out ? It was the last candle I possessed ; hence I 
 was forced to quit the sublime realms of magic all for 
 want of a halfpenny taper. At this instant I would have 
 given my whole fortune, were it only for a street lamp. 
 
 I was not exactly in the dark : a dim ray entered my 
 window from a neighboring lamp : but, though I made 
 every effort to read by it, I could not decipher a single 
 word, was obliged to retire to bed willy-nilly. 
 
 In vain I tried to sleep : the febrile excitement pro- 
 duced by the book prevented either sleep or rest. I went 
 continually over the passages which had most struck me, 
 and the interest they inspired only the more excited me. 
 Finding it impossible to remain in bed, I repeatedly re- 
 turned to the window, and while casting envious glances on 
 the lamp, I had made up my mind to go down into the street 
 and read by its light, when another idea occurred to me. 
 In my impatience to realize it I did not wait to dress, but,
 
 46 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 confining my attire to what was strictly necessary, if I 
 may so call a pair of slippers and my drawers, I took my 
 hat in one hand, a pair of pincers in the other, and went 
 down into the street. 
 
 Once there, I proceeded straight to the lamp ; for I 
 must confess, that in my anxiety to profit at once by the 
 sleight-of-hand tricks I had been studying, I intended to 
 conjure away the oil-lamp provided by the authorities for 
 the safety of the town. The part the hat and pincers 
 were to play in the operation were simple enough : the 
 latter would wrench open the little box containing the end 
 of the cord by which the lamp was raised, and the former 
 would act as a dark lantern, and hide the rays of light 
 which might betray my theft.* 
 
 All prospered famously ; and I was about to retire in 
 triumph, when a miserable incident threatened to rob me 
 of the profits of my trick. At the moment of my success 
 a baker's man overthrew my plans by emerging from the 
 door of his shop. I concealed myself in a doorway, and, 
 while striving to hide the light, I waited perfectly motion- 
 less till the unlucky baker retired. But judge of my 
 grief and terror when I saw him lean against the door 
 and calmly smoke his pipe ! 
 
 My position was growing intolerable ; the cold and the 
 fear of detection made my teeth chatter, and to increase 
 my despair, I soon felt the lining of my hat catch fire. 
 There was no time for hesitation : I crushed my failure of 
 a lantern in my hands, and thus put out the fire ; but it was 
 a dreadful sacrifice. My poor hat, the one I wore on 
 Sundays, was smoked, stained with oil, and shapeless. 
 And while I was enduring all these torments, my tyrant 
 
 * It will be remembered that in those days French towns were lighted 
 by a lamp suspended in the centre of the highway from a cord attached 
 to two poles. [En.
 
 MY FIRST TRICK. 47 
 
 continued to smoke with an air of calmness and comfort 
 which drove me nearly mad. 
 
 It was quite plain I could not stay here till day-light ; 
 but how to escape from this critical situation ? To ask the 
 baker to keep my secret would be running a risk ; while, 
 to return home straight would betray me, for I must pass 
 in front of him, and he would be sure to recognise me. 
 The only chance left was to go down a side street and 
 make a detour to reach the house. This I decided on, 
 even at the risk of any one meeting me in my bathing at- 
 tire. Without delay I took hat and lamp under my arm, 
 for I was forced to remove the proofs of my crime, and I 
 started off like an arrow. In my trouble, I fancied the 
 baker was after me. I even thought I heard his foot- 
 fall behind me, and in my anxiety to escape I doubled 
 my speed ; first I turned to the right, then to the left, and 
 went through such a number of streets, that it took me a 
 quarter of an hour to regain my room, in a state of per- 
 fect collapse, yet glad to have escaped so cheaply. 
 
 It is a painful confession for a man destined eventually 
 to fill a certain part in the annals of conjuring to make, 
 that my trial-piece turned out so lamentably. In fact, to 
 use a theatrical phrase, it was an utter fiasco. 
 
 Still, I was not at all discouraged ; the next day I re- 
 gained all my equanimity on finding my precious treatise 
 on "White Magic" before me, and I began studying the 
 interesting secrets it contained with great ardor. 
 
 Within a week I knew them all by heart. 
 
 From theory I resolved to proceed to practice ; but, just 
 as was the case with Carlosbach's book, I suddenly met 
 with an obstacle. The author, I will grant, was more con- 
 scientious than the Borcfclais mystifier : he gave a very 
 plain explanation of his tricks ; still, he committed the 
 error of supposing his readers possessed of the necessary
 
 48 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 skill to perform them. Now, I was entirely deficient in 
 this skill, and though most desirous of acquiring it, I found 
 nothing in the book to indicate the means. I was in the 
 position of a man who attempts to copy a picture without 
 possessing the slightest notion of drawing and painting. 
 
 In the absence of a professor to instruct me, I was com- 
 pelled to create the principles of the science I wished to 
 study. In the first place, I recognised the fundamental 
 principle of sleight-of-hand, that the organs performing 
 the principal part are the sight and touch. I saw that, in 
 order to attain any degree of perfection, the professor 
 must develop these organs to their fullest extent for, in 
 his exhibitions, he must be able to see everything that 
 takes place around him at half a glance, and execute his 
 deceptions with unfailing dexterity. 
 
 I had been often struck by the ease with which pianists 
 can read and perform at sight the most difficult pieces. I 
 saw that, by practice, it would be possible to create a cer- 
 tainty of perception and facility of touch, rendering it 
 easy for the artist to attend to several things simultane- 
 ously, while his hands were busy employed with some 
 complicated task. This faculty I wished to acquire and 
 apply to sleight-of-hand ; still, as music could not afford 
 me the necessary elements, I had recourse to the juggler's 
 art, in which I hoped to meet with an analogous result. 
 
 It is well known that the trick with the balls wonder- 
 fully improves the touch, but does it not improve the vision 
 at the same time ? In fact, when a juggler throws into 
 the air four balls crossing each other in various directions, 
 he requires an extraordinary power of sight to follow the 
 direction his hands have given to each of the balls. At 
 this period a corn-cutter resided* at Blois, who possessed 
 the double talent of juggling and extracting corns with a
 
 SLEIGHT-OF-HAND PRACTICE. 49 
 
 skill worthy of the lightness of his hands. Still, with 
 both these qualities, he was not rich, and being aware of 
 that fact, I hoped to obtain lessons from him at a price 
 suited to my modest finances. In fact, for ten francs he 
 agreed to initiate me in the juggling art. 
 
 I practised with so much zeal, and progressed so rapidly, 
 that in less than a month I had nothing more to learn ; at 
 least, I knew as much as my master, with the exception 
 of corn-cutting, the monopoly in which I left him. I was 
 able to juggle with four balls at once. But this did not 
 satisfy my ambition ; so I placed a book before me, and, 
 while the balls were in the air, I accustomed myself to 
 read without any hesitation. 
 
 This will probably seem to my readers very extraordi- 
 nary; but I shall surprise them still more, when I say 
 that I have just amused myself by repeating this curious 
 experiment. Though thirty years have elapsed since the 
 time of which I am writing, and though I scarcely once 
 touched the balls during that period, I can still manage 
 to read with ease while keeping three balls up. 
 
 The practice of this trick gave my fingers a remarkable 
 degree of delicacy and certainty, while my eye was at the 
 same time acquiring a promptitude of perception that was 
 quite marvellous. Presently I shall have to speak of the 
 service this rendered me in my experiment of second sight. 
 After having thus made my hands supple and docile, I 
 went on straight to sleight-of-hand, and I more especially 
 devoted myself to the manipulation of cards and palmistry. 
 
 This operation requires a great deal of practice ; for, 
 while the hand is held apparently open, balls, corks, lumps 
 of sugar, coins, &c., must be held unseen, the fingers re- 
 maining perfectly free and limber. 
 
 Owing to the little time at my disposal, the difficulties 
 
 D
 
 50 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUD1N. 
 
 connected with these new experiments would have been 
 insurmountable, had I not found a mode of practising 
 without neglecting my business. It was the fashion in 
 those days to wear coats with large pockets on the hips, 
 called a la propriStaire, so whenever my hands were not 
 otherwise engaged they slipped naturally into my pockets, 
 and set to work with cards, coins, or one of the objects I 
 have mentioned. It will be easily understood how much 
 time I gained by this. Thus, for instance, when out on 
 errands my hands could be at work on both sides ; at din- 
 ner, I often ate my soup with one hand while I was learn- 
 ing to sauter la coupe with the other in short, the slight- 
 est moment of relaxation was devoted to my favorite 
 pursuit. As no one suspected that my paletot was in 
 some degree a study, this manner of keeping my hands in 
 my pockets began to be regarded as a bad habit I had 
 acquired; but after a few jests on the subject I was left 
 in peace. 
 
 Though my passion for sleight-of-hand was so intense, 
 I had, however, sufficient command over myself not to dis- 
 please my master, who never noticed that my thoughts 
 were away from my work, and constantly praised me for 
 my regularity and application. 
 
 At length my apprenticeship was over, and my cousin, 
 one fine day, stated I was a journeyman and able to earn 
 wages. I heard this with double pleasure, for I found in 
 it not only greater liberty, but also a chance of improving 
 my finances. Nor was I long ere I profited by my ad- 
 vancement ; a situation was offered me by a watchmaker 
 at Tours, and I proceeded to that town at once. 
 
 My new master was that M. Noriet, who afterwards 
 gained some distinction as a sculptor. His imagination, 
 already full of his future works, disdained the ordinary
 
 CLIPPING THE COIN OF THE REALM. 51 
 
 labor of watch repairing, and he gladly left to his work- 
 men what he called, ironically, the "shoe-black" part of 
 the trade. It was for this purpose I joined him, and I 
 received, in addition to board and lodging, 35 fr. a month. 
 Little enough, I grant ; but it was an enormous sum in 
 my eyes, for, since leaving the lawyer's, at Avaray, my 
 income had been reduced to a minimum. 
 
 When I say I earned 35 fr., it is merely to mention a 
 round sum ; in reality I never received it net. Madame 
 Noriet, in her quality of an excellent manager, was per- 
 fectly conversant with all matters relative to discount and 
 exchanges ; and thus, she had found a way of lessening 
 my wages in a manner as ingenious as it was improper. 
 She used to pay me in crowns of six francs, and as at that 
 time six-franc pieces were only worth 5 fr. 80 c., the lady 
 gained 24 sous every month, which I carried to my "profit 
 and loss" account. 
 
 Although my time was fully occupied here, I managed 
 to continue my pocket practice ; and I daily noticed with 
 joy the progress I was making. I had learned how to 
 make any object I held in my hand disappear with the 
 greatest ease ; and as for the practice of card tricks, they 
 were only child's play to me, and I could produce some 
 delightful illusions. 
 
 I confess to feeling a degree of pride in my humble 
 power of amusing my friends, and I neglected no occasion 
 of displaying it. On Sunday, for instance, after the in- 
 variable game of loto, which was played in this patriarchal 
 family, I gave a small performance of sleight-of-hand, 
 which enlivened the melancholy victims of this most mo- 
 notonous of all games. I was honored with the name of 
 an "agreeable droll," and this compliment delighted me. 
 
 My regular habits, my perseverance, and perhaps a cer-
 
 52 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 tain degree of gaiety I possessed at the time, had gained 
 me the friendship and sympathy of both my master and 
 mistress. At last I became an indispensable member of 
 the family, and shared in all their amusements. Among 
 these were frequent excursions in the country. On one of 
 these, on the 25th of July, 1828, (I shall never forget that 
 memorable date, as it was all but registered on my tomb- 
 stone,) we went to a fair at an adjacent village. Before 
 leaving Tours, we had promised to be home to dinner at 
 five ; but, finding ourselves much amused, we did not keep 
 military time, nor find our way home till eight. 
 
 After enduring the scolding of the cook, whose dinner 
 had got cold, we sat down and ate like people whose ap- 
 petite has been whetted by a long walk in the open air, 
 and eight or ten hours' fasting. 
 
 Whatever Jeannette might say, everything she sent up 
 was found excellent, except a certain ragout, which every- 
 body declared detestable, and hardly touched. I, however, 
 devoured my share of the dish, without troubling myself 
 the least in the world about its quality. In spite of the 
 jests aroused by my avidity, I asked for a second relay, 
 and would certainly have eaten the whole dish, had not 
 my mistress, with due regard for my health, prevented it. 
 
 This precaution saved my life. In fact, dinner was 
 hardly over and the game of loto begun, when I felt most 
 uncomfortable. I went to my room, where atrocious pains 
 seized upon me, and a doctor was sent for. After a care- 
 ful investigation, the doctor discovered that a powerful 
 layer of verdigris had formed in the stewpan in which the 
 ragout had been cooked and said I was poisoned. 
 
 The consequences of this poisoning were most terrible 
 to me : for some time my life was despaired of, but even- 
 tually the sufferings seemed to be modified by the gentle
 
 I AM POISONED. 53 
 
 care bestowed on me, and I was granted some slight relief. 
 Strangely enough, it was not till this second phase of my 
 illness, when the doctor declared me out of danger, that I 
 was haunted by a certainty of speedy death, to which was 
 joined an immoderate desire to end my days in the bosom 
 of my family. This idea a species of monomania in- 
 cessantly assailed me, and I soon had no other thought 
 than that of escaping to Blois. As I could not hope to 
 obtain the doctor's permission to set out, when his most 
 urgent advice was to take care of myself, I determined to 
 take leave. 
 
 At six o'clock one morning, taking advantage of a mo- 
 ment when I was left to myself, I hastily dressed, went 
 down stairs, and found a stage-coach just starting for 
 Blois. I entered the rotonde, in which I happened to be 
 the only passenger, and the coach, lightly laden as it was, 
 soon set off at full gallop. 
 
 The journey was a horrible martyrdom to me. I was 
 devoured by a burning fever, and my head seemed to be 
 burst asunder by every jolt of the vehicle. In my frenzy 
 I tried to escape my agony, and yet it was continually 
 increasing. Unable to endure longer, I opened the door 
 of the compartment, and leaped, at an imminent risk of 
 my life, on to the -high road, where I fell in a state of in- 
 sensibility. 
 
 I cannot say what happened to me after my fainting fit ; 
 I can only remember long days of vague and painful ex- 
 istence, that appeared of eternal duration: I was in a 
 raging fever; my dreams were frightful, and I suffered 
 from the most dreadful hallucinations. One of them was 
 incessantly recurring it seemed as if my head opened 
 like a snuff-box ; a doctor, with turned-up cuffs, and armed 
 with an enormous pair of iron pincers, drew from my brain
 
 54 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 roasted chesnuts, which, immediately burst like bombs, and 
 scattered myriads of scintillations before my eyes. 
 
 This phantasmagoria gradually faded away, and the ill- 
 ness at length succumbed ; but my reason was so shaken 
 that it did not avail me. I was reduced to a mechanical 
 existence. If I noticed anything, it seemed veiled in a 
 thick mist, and I could not perform any process of reason- 
 ing. It is true that all I did notice only served to increase 
 the confusion of my ideas. I felt as if being 'shaken in a 
 carriage, and, yet, I was in a capital bed, and the room 
 was exquisitely clean. How could I help fancying I was 
 still dreaming ? 
 
 At length, a spark of intelligence was aroused in me, 
 and the first startling impression was produced by the 
 sight of a man standing at my bedside. His features were 
 quite strange to me. Stooping over, he affectionately 
 urged me to swallow a draught. I obeyed ; and he then 
 begged me to keep silent, and remain as calm as I possibly 
 could. 
 
 Unfortunately, my present state of weakness rendered 
 it but too easy to follow this prescription. Still, I tried 
 to guess who this man could be, and consulted my memory. 
 It was quite useless : I could remember nothing since the 
 moment when, yielding to frenzy, I had thrown myself 
 out of the diligence.
 
 I RETURN TO LIFE. 55 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 I return to Life A strange Doctor Torrini and Antonio: a Conjurer 
 and a Fanatic for Music A Murderer's Confession A perambulat- 
 ing House The Fair at Angers A portable Theatre I witness for 
 the first Time a Conjuring Performance The blind Man's Game at 
 Piquet A Dangerous Rival Signor Castelli eats a Man alive. 
 
 I AM by no means a fatalist ; and yet I cannot refrain 
 from remarking here that many events in human life seem 
 to encourage the views of fatalists. 
 
 Suppose, dear reader, that, on leaving Blois to proceed 
 to Tours, destiny had opened before me one of the fairest 
 pages of my life, I should certainly have been delighted at 
 such a glorious future, but in my heart I should have been 
 inclined to doubt its realization. In fact, I set out as a 
 simple workman, with the intention of making a tour of 
 France. This journey would have occupied much time, as 
 I intended to remafa^. a year or two in every city I visited, 
 and France is largW 1 ! Then, when I considered myself 
 skilful enough, I would return home and set up as a watch- 
 maker. 
 
 But fate decided otherwise, and I must be drawn back 
 to my real " groove " when I tried to escape from it. The 
 means employed were a poisoning, which turned me mad, 
 and hurled me lifeless on the high road.- But I was going 
 to recal my reminiscences after my fortunate catastrophe, 
 and I will take up the story from the point where I left off. 
 
 What had happened since my fainting fit ; where was I ;
 
 56 MEMOIRS OF ROBEBT-HOUDIN. 
 
 why did this man treat me so kindly ? I longed for a so- 
 lution of these problems, and I should certainly have 
 cross-questioned my host, had it not been for the earnest 
 advice he had just given me. As thought, however, was 
 not forbidden, I tried to form a satisfactory conclusion 
 from surrounding objects. 
 
 The room I was in might be three yards long by two 
 broad. The walls were made of polished oak ; on either 
 side was a small window with muslin curtains ; while four 
 walnut chairs, shelves serving as tables, and my excellent 
 bed, composed the furniture of this moving room, which 
 bore a close resemblance to the cabin of a steamboat. 
 
 There must also be two other compartments, for, to my 
 left, I saw my doctor frequently disappear behind two red 
 damask curtains, where I heard him moving about, while 
 to my right I heard, through a thin partition, a voice 
 encouraging the horses. This circumstance made me con- 
 clude I was in a carriage, and that the latter voice be- 
 longed to the driver. 
 
 I already knew that hero's name, as I had often heard 
 the person I presumed to be his master use it. It was 
 Antonio : and he was, at any rate, a splendid musician, 
 for he was continually singing pieces from Italian operas, 
 which he broke off to swear harmlessly at his steeds. As 
 for the master, he was a man of about fifty, above the 
 average height, and his face, though sad and serious, dis- 
 played a degree of kindness which prepossessed me. His 
 long black hair fell on his shoulders in natural curls, and 
 he was dressed in a blouse and trousers of unbleached 
 cloth, with a yellow silk pocket-handkerchief as cravat. 
 But nothing in all this served to tell me what he was, and 
 my suprise was increased by finding him constantly at my 
 side, and nursing me like the fondest of mothers.
 
 A CONJURER AND A FRIEND. fc,* 
 
 A day had clasped since his recommendation to keep 
 silent ; I had gained a little strength, and fancied myself 
 strong enough to talk ; I was, therefore, going to begin, 
 when my host, guessing my intention, prevented me. 
 
 "I can imagine," he said, "your impatience to know 
 where you are and whom with ; nor, will I conceal from 
 you that I am equally curious to learn the circumstances 
 that led to our meeting. Still, in regard for your health, 
 the responsibility of which I have assumed, I must ask you 
 to be patient for one night more ; to-morrow, I believe, we 
 shall be able to talk as long as you like, without any risk." 
 
 As I had no serious objection to raise, and as I had 
 been wont for some time to obey all my strange doctor 
 ordered, I yielded. The certainty of soon holding the 
 key to the enigma secured me a peaceful sleep, whose 
 good effects I noticed on waking. Thus, when the doctor 
 came to feel my pulse, he was surprised at the progress I 
 had made in a few hours, and, without awaiting my ques- 
 tions, he said, as if replying to the mute inquiry my eyes 
 made: 
 
 "Yes, I will satisfy your just curiosity; I owe you an 
 explanation, and you shall not wait any longer. My 
 name is Torrini, and I am a conjurer by profession. You 
 are in my house that is, in the carriage I usually em- 
 ploy as my domicile. You will be surprised, I dare say, 
 to learn that the bedroom you now occupy can be length- 
 ened into a theatre, and in that room behind the red cur- 
 tains is the stage on which my apparatus is arranged." 
 
 At the word " conjurer " I could not repress a start of 
 satisfaction, which my sorcerer probably did not notice, 
 ignorant as he was that he had before him one of the most 
 fervent adepts of his profession. 
 
 "As for yourself,," he went on, "I need not ask you
 
 58 MEMOIRS OF EOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 any questions : your name, trade, as well as the cause of 
 your illness, are known to me, for I consulted your livret, 
 and some letters I found on you, in my desire to benefit 
 you. I must now tell you, though, all that has happened 
 since you lost consciousness. After giving some repre- 
 sentations at Orleans, I was proceeding to Angers, where 
 the fair will shortly begin, when, at some distance from 
 Amboise, I found you lying insensible, with your face to 
 the ground. Fortunately for you, I was then taking my 
 morning walk by the horses' side, and this circumstance 
 saved you from being run over. By Antonio's help I car- 
 ried you to my bed, and my knowledge of medicine re- 
 stored you to life. But, my poor fellow ! the fever caus- 
 ed you to make the most terrible outbreaks ; you threat- 
 ened me continually, and I had the greatest difficulty in 
 mastering you. At Tours I would have gladly stopped to 
 call in a doctor, for your situation was critical, and I had 
 not practiced for many years: but my hours were 
 counted: I must arrive in time at Angers, where I wish 
 to choose a good spot for my exhibition, and I had a strange 
 fancy I should save your life, which has proved true." 
 
 Not knowing how to thank this excellent Torrini, I 
 offered him my hand, which he pressed firmly: but must 
 I confess it I was checked in the effusion of my gratitude 
 by a thought which I deeply regretted later. 
 
 "To what motive," I asked myself, " can I attribute 
 this sudden affection ?" This feeling, however sincere it 
 might be, must have some cause, and in my ingratitude I 
 sought whether my benefactor did not conceal some inter- 
 ested design bohind his apparent generosity. Torrini, as 
 if he had guessed my thoughts, continued, in a kindly 
 tone: 
 
 "You expect a fuller explanation? Well, however 
 painful it may be to me, I will give it. It is this
 
 A PHILANTHROPIC ASSASSIN. 59 
 
 "You arc surprised that a mountebank, a man belonging 
 to a class not generally erring on the side of sensibility, 
 should have evinced such compassion for your sufferings, 
 but your surprise will cease, my boy, on learning that 
 this compassion is produced by the sweet illusion of pa- 
 ternal love." 
 
 Here Torrini stopped an instant, tried to recover him- 
 self, and then proceeded : 
 
 " I had a son, a beloved son ; he was my hope, my life, 
 my happiness; but a dread fatality robbed me of him: he 
 died, and, terrible to say, he was assassinated, and his 
 murderer stands before you!" 
 
 At this unexpected confession I could not repress a 
 start of horror ; the cold drops beaded on my face. 
 
 "Yes, yes, his murderer !" Torrini went on, his voice 
 growing gradually firmer, "and, yet, the law could not 
 punish me ; it left me life. In vain I accused myself be- 
 fore my judges ; they treated me as a maniac, and my 
 crime was regarded as accidental homicide. But what do 
 I care, after all, for their judgment ? Whether through 
 carelessness, or imprudence as they say, my poor Gio- 
 vanni is not the less lost to me, and I shall reproach my- 
 self with his death my life long." 
 
 Torrini's voice was drowned by his sobs. He remained 
 for some time with his hands before his eyes ; then, mak- 
 ing an effort, he continued, in a calmer tone : 
 
 " To spare you emotions that might prove dangerous in 
 your present state, I will abridge the narrative of the 
 misfortunes to which this event was only a terrible prelude. 
 What I have said will suffice to explain the natural cause 
 of my sympathy towards you. When I first saw you, I 
 was struck by the likeness you bore in age and height to 
 my unhappy boy. I even fancied I could trace a certain
 
 60 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 resemblance in your face, and yielding to this illusion, I 
 decided on keeping you near me, and nursing you as if 
 you were my own child. You can now form an idea of 
 the agony I endured during the week when I was com- 
 pelled to despair of your restoration to life. But Provi- 
 dence, taking pity on us both, has saved you. You are 
 now quite convalescent, and in a few days, I trust, will be 
 perfectly recovered. Such, my boy, is the secret of the 
 affection I displayed towards you." 
 
 Deeply moved by the father's misfortunes, and touched 
 by the tender care he had bestowed on me, I could only 
 express my gratitude in half-broken phrases, for I was 
 almost stifled by emotion. Torrini, also feeling the neces- 
 sity of shortening this painful interview, went out, prom- 
 ising to return soon. 
 
 No sooner was I alone than a thousand thoughts crossed 
 my mind. This mysterious and tragical event, the thought 
 of which seemed to overthrow Torrini's reason ; this crime 
 of which he accused himself so persistently ; this verdict 
 whose justice he disputed, perplexed me in the highest de- 
 gree, and gave me a great desire to obtain more complete 
 details about this domestic drama. Then, I asked myself 
 how a man possessing so agreeable a countenance, who 
 did not lack either judgment or talent, and who joined to 
 a solid education a readiness of conversation and distin- 
 guished manners, could have thus sunk to the lowest stage 
 of his profession. 
 
 While absorbed in these thoughts, the vehicle stopped : 
 we had arrived at Angers. Torrini left us, in order to 
 obtain the mayor's leave to perform, and so soon as he 
 had succeeded, he prepared to occupy the spot allotted to 
 him. As I have already stated, the room I occupied was 
 to be transformed into a theatre ; hence I was carried to
 
 WE ARRIVE AT ANGERS. 61 
 
 an adjacent inn, and placed in a capital arm chair ctose 
 to an open window. The weather was glorious ; the sun's 
 beneficent rays seemed to impart fresh life to me, and I 
 began to lose that egotistic indifference which a lengthened 
 illness usually produces. 
 
 I could see Antonio and his master, with their sleeves 
 tucked up, working at the theatre. In a few hours our 
 residence was completely transformed ; the moving house 
 had become a charming room. The arrangement of this 
 singular vehicle is so stamped on my memory, that I can 
 still supply an exact description of it, and I will fill up 
 the details I have already given of it. 
 
 The bed on which I had lain was drawn up through a 
 trap in the ceiling, where it occupied a very small space. 
 If clothes or linen were required, an adjoining trap was 
 opened, and by means of a ring, a chest of drawers was 
 produced, as if by magic. A similar process revealed a 
 small chimney, which, by a peculiar arrangement, expelled 
 the smoke below the hearth. Lastly, the larder, cooking- 
 range, and other accessories of the household, were ready 
 to hand, and could be easily restored to their respective 
 places. This strange furniture occupied all the space 
 between the wheels, so that the room, though amply fur- 
 nished, was not crowded. 
 
 But I was most surprised to see the vehicle, which was 
 scarcely six yards long, suddenly grow twice that length. 
 This was most ingeniously contrived : the body was double 
 and could be pulled out like a telescope. This prolonga- 
 tion, supported by trestels, was quite as secure as the rest 
 of the edifice. The partition, dividing the rooms off, had 
 been removed, so that they now formed but a single apart- 
 ment. The public entered on this side, and a staircase 
 led to the door, before which an elegant marquee formed
 
 62 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 a vestibule, where the tickets were issued. Lastly, a 
 scaffolding was erected over the front, which represented 
 a stuccoed house. 
 
 The sight of this machine excited my imagination, and 
 I built castles in the air which I was never to inhabit. I, 
 too, would have a similar vehicle, though rather smaller, 
 as my exhibition would be different. 
 
 Here I must make room for a parenthesis, to supply an 
 explanation I think necessary. I have spoken so much 
 of sleight-of-hand, that it might be supposed I had quite 
 given up all thoughts about mechanism. On the contrary 
 I still passionately loved that science ; but I had modified 
 its application, since the love of the marvellous had in- 
 flamed my imagination. I proposed to call to my aid 
 automata, which I would eventually build ; then, I would 
 traverse the whole of Europe, perhaps the world, gaining 
 an ample amount of honor, pleasure and profit. 
 
 While engaged with these pleasant dreams I regained 
 my health and strength, and hoped that Torrini would 
 soon allow me to be present at one of his performances. 
 In fact, he soon offered me an agreeable surprise, for, one 
 evening, he led me to his theatre, and installed me on the 
 first row of seats, grandly denominated "the stalls." 
 Judging by my own enthusiasm, I expected the theatre 
 would be thronged so soon as the doors opened, but to my 
 great surprise and regret, the room was not more than 
 half full. 
 
 The hour fixed for commencing at length arrived ; the 
 bell rang thrice, the curtains were drawn back, and an 
 exquisite little stage was visible. The most striking thing 
 was the entire absence of all that apparatus by which 
 many performers compensate for their lack of skill, while 
 by a graceful innovation, a few candles artistically ar-
 
 THE DANCING MASTER. 63 
 
 ranged, were substituted for that dazzling glare which, at 
 the period of which I write, was the indispensable orna- 
 ment of all performances of "amusing science." 
 
 Torrini appeared, walked towards the public with great 
 ease of manner, made a deep bow, then demanded the 
 indulgence of the spectators, and ended by paying a com- 
 pliment to the ladies. This slight address, though uttered 
 in a cold and melancholy tone, received a few encouraging 
 bravos from the audience. 
 
 The performance commenced in the most perfect si- 
 lence ; everybody seemed inclined to devote all attention 
 to it. I could hardly breathe, in my desire not to lose a 
 single word or gesture. 
 
 I will not describe the several tricks I saw ; they all 
 possessed extraordinary interest for me ; but Torrini ap- 
 peared to excel in card tricks. He possessed two most 
 precious qualities in the exercise of this art : these were 
 extreme skill and an incredible boldness of execution. 
 To these he added a most aristocratic way of touching the 
 cards ; his white and carefully-tended hands seemed hardly 
 to rest on them, and his tricks were so artistically per- 
 formed, that the audience involuntarily bestowed a sym- 
 pathising confidence upon him. Sure of the effect he 
 would produce, he performed the most difficult "passes," 
 with a coolness no one could expect him to possess ; and 
 this produced the most successful results. To close the 
 performances, Torrini requested the audience to choose 
 some one to play a game of piquet with him, and a gen- 
 tleman immediately stepped on the stage. 
 
 "Pardon me, sir," said Torrini, "but it is indispen- 
 sable, for the success of the experiment, that I should know 
 your name and profession." 
 
 "Nothing easier $ sir. My name is Joseph Lenoir, at
 
 64 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 your service; and my profession is that of a dancing- 
 master." 
 
 Any other than Torrini would have made some jest on 
 the name and profession of this rival of Vestris ; but he 
 did nothing of the sort. He had only asked this question 
 to gain time, for he never indulged in any mystification ; 
 so he merely added : 
 
 "I thank you, sir, for your kindness ; and now we know 
 who we are, we can place confidence in each other. You 
 have come to play a game of piquet with me ; but do you 
 understand the game thoroughly?" 
 
 " I flatter myself I do, sir." 
 
 "Ah! ah!" Torrini said with a laugh. "Pray do not 
 flatter yourself till we have played our game. Still, not 
 to lower your self-esteem, I will allow you to be an excel- 
 lent player ; but that will not prevent you losing the game, 
 although the chances are all in your favor. Listen to me 
 carefully ; the trick I am going to perform, and which is 
 called the 'blind man's game of piquet,' requires that I 
 should be blinded, so have the goodness to bandage my 
 eyes carefully." 
 
 M. Lenoir, who, I may mention, wore spectacles, was 
 very distrustful, hence he took extraordinary precautions 
 to accomplish his task. First, he covered the patient's 
 eyes with tow, over which he fastened three thick band- 
 ages ; and, as if this fourfold covering were not enough to 
 blind his opponent, he fastened an enormous shawl round 
 his head. I know not how Torrini kept from suffocation 
 beneath these heavy bandages ; for my part, the perspi- 
 ration ran down my face at seeing him so muffled up. Not 
 knowing all the resources this skilful performer had at 
 command, I was rather fearful as to the result of the ex- 
 periment, and my alarm reached its climax when I heard 
 hin address his opponent as follows :
 
 A GAME OF PIQUET. 65 
 
 "Monsieur Lenoir, have the kindness to sit down oppo- 
 site me at this table. I have still a small service to ask 
 you before we begin our game. You have quite deprived 
 me of my sight, but that is not enough. You have now to 
 bind my hands, so that I may be quite incapable." 
 
 M. Lenoir raised his spectacles and looked at Torrini, as 
 if stupefied; but the latter, quietly placing his arms on the 
 table, and crossing his thumbs, said, "Now, sir, fasten 
 them securely." 
 
 The dancing-master took the piece of whipcord and per- 
 formed his task as conscientiously as he had done the first 
 part. 
 
 "Am I now blinded, and deprived of the use of my 
 hands?" Torrini asked his vis-a-vis. 
 
 "I am certain of it," Joseph Lenoir replied." 
 
 " Well, then, to begin our game. But tell me first in 
 what suit you would like to be repiqued?" 
 
 "In clubs." 
 
 " Very good ; now deal the cards by twos or threes, as 
 you please. When they are dealt out, I will leave you to 
 select the hand you think will enable you best to prevent 
 a rcpique." 
 
 All the time these explanations and preparations lasted, 
 the audience remained motionless and silent, not knowing 
 whether a mystification or a real trick were intended. 
 Now, on seeing the dancing-master shuffle the cards, there 
 could be no further doubt ; hence all rose to command a 
 view of the stage, and a great number of spectators even^ 
 surrounded the table. I had also drawn near, and, to my 
 great delight, secured a front place. 
 
 Profound silence in the room. 
 
 " The cards are shuffled, please to cut !" the dancing- 
 master said, in an ironical tone, as if secure of victory. 
 
 E
 
 66 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 "Willingly," Torrini replied. And though hampered 
 in his movements, he soon satisfied his opponent. 
 
 The cards having been dealt, M. Lenoir decided on 
 keeping those before him. .... 
 
 "Very good!" said Torrini. "You wished, I think, 
 to be repiqued in clubs ?" 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 "Now follow my play. I throw out the sevens of 
 spades, hearts, and diamonds, and my two eights ; the 
 cards I take in give me a quint in clubs, fourteen in 
 queens, and fourteen in kings, with which I repique you. 
 Pray count and verify, sir." 
 
 Torrini spoke the truth. Hearty shouts of applause 
 greeted his success, while jokes were cut at the expense 
 of the poor dancing-master, who hurried from the stage in 
 a state of pitiable confusion. 
 
 The performance over, I expressed to Torrini the plea- 
 sure his tricks caused me, and paid him some sincere 
 compliments on the skill he had evinced during the whole 
 evening, and especially in his last trick. 
 
 " These compliments are the more flattering," he re- 
 plied, with a smile, "as I know now they are paid me, if 
 not by a fellow-artist, at least by an amateur, who, I am 
 certain, already possesses same degree of skill in the pro- 
 fession." 
 
 I know not which of us, Torrini or myself, was the 
 more charmed by the compliments we exchanged ; at any 
 rate, I felt most sensibly the favorable opinion he had 
 formed of my talents. One thing, however, perplexed 
 me : I had never said a word to Torrini about my sleight- 
 of-hand fancies : how could he have found them out ? 
 
 He read my thoughts, and added :
 
 I AM FOUND OUT. 67 
 
 " You are surprised at my detecting your secret ? and 
 you would like to know how I did so. I am happy to tell 
 you. My room is small ; hence it is easy for me, when on 
 the stage, to look at every face, and judge the various 
 impressions I produce on the spectators. I observed you 
 particularly, and while watching the direction of your 
 eyes, I could judge what was passing in your mind. 
 Thus when I indulged in some amusing paradox, to draw 
 public attention away from the side where the trick was 
 to be performed, you alone escaped the snare, and kept 
 your eyes fixed on the right spot. As for my piquet 
 trick, though I could not observe you while I was per- 
 forming it, I have reasons to be assured that you did not 
 know it." 
 
 " You have guessed perfectly right, my dear magician, 
 and I cannot deny that in my leisure hours I have amused 
 myself with some of these tricks, for which I always felt 
 great inclination." 
 
 " Inclination ! Allow me to say that is not the proper 
 word in your case, my dear lad ; yours is a true passion. 
 I base my opinion on the following observations. This 
 evening, from the moment of the curtain rising, your 
 searching eye, your agitated face and half-parted lips, 
 denoted the state of excitement you were in. You looked 
 like a gourmet just sitting down to a well-covered board, 
 or a miser gloating over his treasure. Do you think that 
 with these signs I need be a sorcerer to discover the sway 
 conjuring exercises over your mind ?" 
 
 I was about to reply, when Torrini drew out his watch, 
 and said to me, " Come, young gentleman, it is growing 
 late ; it is high time for a convalescent to seek his rest. 
 We will continue our conversation at a better time." 
 
 With these words my doctor led me to my room, and,
 
 68 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 after counting my pulse, which appeared to satisfy him, 
 retired. In spite of the pleasure I felt in talking, I was 
 not ill-pleased to find myself alone, for I had a thousand 
 souvenirs to evoke. I wished to summon up again the 
 ex-periments that had struck me most, but it was all in 
 vain. One thought mastered all the rest, and produced a 
 strange sinking in my heart. I tried, without success, to 
 explain the motives why the public neglected Torrini's 
 interesting performances. 
 
 This motive Antonio explained to me afterwards, and it 
 is too curious to be passed by in silence. Besides, I have 
 here an opportunity to introduce my readers to a very 
 remarkable specimen of the great family of mountebanks. 
 
 I have said that we reached Angers at fair time ; and 
 among the numerous providers of amusement who solicited 
 the presence and money of the Angevins, was another 
 conjurer, known as Castelli. 
 
 He was no more an Italian than was Torrini. I shall 
 presently give Torrini's real name, and the reasons that 
 caused him to change it for the one we know him by ; as 
 for the other conjurer, he was a Norman by birth, and 
 only assumed the name of Castelli in conformity with the 
 custom of most conjurers of the day, who thought an 
 Italian name more attractive. 
 
 Castelli was far from possessing Torrini's marvellous 
 address, and his performances offered no special interest 
 as far as sleight-of-hand was concerned ; but he thought 
 with Figaro that "skill was better than learning," and he 
 proved it by his repeated successes. In truth, this man 
 was the incarnation of charlatanism, and he spared nothing 
 to pique public curiosity. Each day some new prodigy 
 was announced on his enormous posters. It was in reality 
 only a deception, very often a mystification for the audi-
 
 SIGNOR CASTELLI. 69 
 
 ence; but his treasury was always filled to repletion 
 hence, the trick was good. If the public felt wroth at 
 being duped, Castelli knew the art of escaping from the 
 dilemma and drawing the laughers on his side ; he boldly 
 made some jest in bad Italian, at which the pit could not 
 help laughing, and was thus disarmed. 
 
 Besides, it must be remembered that, at this period, 
 conjuring was not so respectable as it is now ; people went 
 to an exhibition of that sort to laugh at the conjurer's 
 victims, even if themselves exposed to his attacks. My 
 readers ought to have seen the mystifier par excellence, 
 the celebrated physico-ventriloquist of the age, Comte, 
 to form an idea of the cool way in which the public 
 was then treated. This performer, though so graceful and 
 gallant towards ladies, was merciless to men. According 
 to his notions, the cavaliers (as they were then called) 
 
 were predestined to supply amusement for the fair sex 
 
 But I must not poach on the biography of the " natural 
 philosopher to the king," which will hereafter find a place 
 in my volume. 
 
 The same day on which I had witnessed Torrini's per- 
 formance, Castelli's bills contained an astounding state- 
 ment, well adapted, I grant, to tempt public curiosity. 
 The professor pledged himself to eat a man alive, and 
 if ho did not succeed to the satisfaction of his audience, 
 he would hand over all the receipts to the mayor 
 for distribution among the poor. This seductive appeal 
 had drawn the whole town ; crowds collected round the 
 show, and persons who arrived too late were glad to pay 
 double entrance money. But the new trick played by the 
 conjurer was quite worthy of all that had preceded it. 
 
 Castelli, after performing several tricks of second-rate 
 interest, at length arrived at the one which caused even 
 the calmest spectator to throb with impatience.
 
 70 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 "Gentlemen," he then said, addressing the audience, 
 " we will now proceed to the last trick. I promised to 
 eat a man alive for my supper, and I will keep my word. 
 Will the courageous spectator who wishes to serve as a 
 repast to me (Castelli pronounced this word with the ex- 
 pression of a perfect cannibal) take the trouble to mount 
 on the stage ?" 
 
 Two victims immediately presented themselves. By 
 accident they offered a perfect contrast, and Castelli, who 
 understood the art of producing an effect, skilfully profited 
 by it. He placed them side by side, with their faces 
 turned to the audience, then after surveying one of them, 
 a tall, bilious-looking fellow, from head to foot, he said to 
 him, with affected politeness, 
 
 " I do not wish to insult you, sir, but I am sorry to tell 
 you that, as regards my food, I am quite of M. le Cure"s 
 opinion you understand me ?" 
 
 The tall, thin man appeared for a moment as if trying 
 to guess a riddle, and ended by scratching his ear a 
 gesture which, among all nations, civilized or barbarous, 
 signifies, " I do not understand." 
 
 "I will explain, then," Castelli continued. "You 
 know that M. le Cure* does not like bones ; at least, so 
 they say at forfeits, and I assure you I share the Curb's 
 antipathy in this respect. You can retire, then ; I will 
 not detain you." And Castelli began bowing to his visi- 
 tor, who hastened back to his seat. 
 
 "Now, then, for us two," the conjurer said, turning to 
 the one who remained. He was a tall, chubby felloAv, 
 with rosy cheeks, who seemed purposely made for the 
 repast of an epicurean cannibal. 
 
 "Well, my stout friend, so you consent to be eaten 
 alive?"
 
 A VERY CANNIBAL. 71 
 
 " Yes, sir, I am quite willing, and came here for that 
 purpose." 
 
 "Ah! ah! that is capital !" (Here Castelli licked his 
 lips like a gourmet, whose mouth waters at the sight of a 
 dainty dish.) " As I have a powerful appetite, we will 
 begin directly." 
 
 At this moment a gigantic cruet-stand was brought in. 
 The stout youth regarded it with surprise, as if trying to 
 discover the use of this strange utensil. 
 
 " Don't mind it, pray !" said Castelli. " I am very 
 fond of hot dishes, so allow me to pepper and salt you in 
 my usual fashion." 
 
 And he began covering the unhappy man with a white 
 powder, which, adhering to his hair, face, and clothes, 
 soon gave him an extraordinary appearance. The stout 
 youth, who at the beginning had tried to rival the conjurer's 
 gaiety, did not laugh now, and seemed earnestly to desire 
 the end of the jest. 
 
 " Now, then !" Castelli added, rolling his eyes about 
 ferociously, " kneel down, and hold your hands over your 
 head. Very good, my friend : it really looks as if you 
 had never followed any other trade than being eaten alive. 
 Now, then, say your prayers, and I will begin. Are you 
 ready?" 
 
 " Yes, sir," the stout lad muttered, turning quite yellow 
 with emotion, " I am ready." 
 
 Castelli then took the end of the patient's thumb in his 
 mouth, and bit it so hard that the latter, as if working by 
 a spring, jumped up, shouting energetically, 
 
 " Confound it, sir, take care ; you hurt me !" 
 
 " What ! I hurt you?" Castelli said, with perfect calm- 
 ness. "What will you say, then, when I reach your 
 head ? It was really absurd of you to cry out like a baby
 
 72 MEMOIRS OF KOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 at the first mouthful. Come, be reasonable : let me go 
 on. I am frightfully hungry, and long for my supper." 
 
 And Castelli, thrusting him by the shoulders, tried to 
 make him take his first position. But the young man re- 
 sisted with all his strength, as he cried, in a voice palsied 
 with fear, " I won't have it : I tell you I won't have it. 
 You hurt me too much !" At length, by a supreme effort, 
 he escaped from his tormentor's hands. During this time 
 the audience, foreseeing the result of this amusing scene, 
 had been shouting with laughter, and Castelli found some 
 difficulty in gaining a hearing. 
 
 " Gentlemen !" he said, assuming a tone of the deepest 
 disappointment, " you see me both surprised and vexed at 
 the flight of that gentleman, who had not the courage to 
 allow himself to be eaten. Now, I expect some one to 
 take his place; for, far from shunning the performance 
 of my promise, I feel so comfortable, that I pledge myself, 
 after eating the first spectator who offers, to eat the 
 second, and so on. Indeed, to prove myself worthy your 
 applause, I promise to eat the whole roomful." 
 
 This jest was greeted by another hearty laugh, but the 
 farce was played out. No one came forward to be eaten, 
 and the crowd went home to digest the trick played on 
 them all. 
 
 If such manoeuvres could succeed, few spectators were 
 left for Torrini. As he desired to maintain a certain dig- 
 nity, he never announced tricks he did not perform, and, 
 even if trying to render the titles attractive, he always 
 adhered to the strictest truth.
 
 ANTONIO'S CONFESSIONS. 73 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Antonio's Confessions How to gain Public Applause The Count 
 
 de , Mountebank I repair an Automaton A Mechanician's 
 
 Shop on Wheels Nomadic Life Happy Existence Torrini's Les- 
 sons His Opinions about Slcight-of-Hand A Fashionable Greek, 
 Victim of his own Swindling The Conjurer Comus A Duel at 
 Piquet Torrini proclaimed Conqueror Revelations New Catas- 
 trophe Poor Torrini! 
 
 THE day after the performances, Antonio came as usual 
 to inquire after my health. I have already said this 
 young man possessed a charming character : ever gay, 
 ever singing, his fund of good humor was inexhaustible, 
 and frequently produced a degree of gaiety in our house, 
 which otherwise would have heen very gloomy. On open- 
 ing my door, he stopped the operatic air he had been 
 humming from the bottom of the stairs. 
 
 " Well, my little signor," he said, in French, pictur- 
 esquely intermingled with Italian, "how is the health 
 this morning ?" 
 
 "Famous, Antonio famous, thank you!" 
 
 " Oh yes ! famous, Antonio, famous ! " and the Italian 
 sought to repeat the intonation of my voice. " I believe 
 you, my dear patient, but that will hot prevent you taking 
 this draught the doctor, my master, has sent you." 
 
 " I am willing ; but, indeed, this medicine is becoming 
 unnecessary, for I now feel that I shall soon be restored 
 to health, and then I shall only have to thank you and
 
 74 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 your master for your attention to me, and pay him the ex- 
 penses caused by my illness." 
 
 "What are you talking ahout ?" Antonio said. "Do 
 you think of leaving us ? Oh, I hope not." 
 
 "You are right, Antonio; I am not thinking of it to- 
 day, but I must consider of it so soon as I am in a con- 
 dition to leave. You must see, my friend, that, in spite of 
 all the pain our separation will cause me, I must make up 
 my mind to it before long, for I am anxious to return to 
 Blois and reassure my family, who must feel most uncom- 
 fortable about me." 
 
 " Your family cannot be uncomfortable, as, in order to 
 calm your father, you wrote to him that your illness, hav- 
 ing had no dangerous results, you had proceeded to Angers 
 to look for work." 
 
 " It is true, but " 
 
 "But, but," Antonio interrupted me, "you have no 
 good reason to offer. I repeat, you cannot quit us. Be- 
 sides," he added, lowering his voice, " if I told you some- 
 thing, I am sure you would be of my opinion." 
 
 Antonio stopped, appeared to struggle for a moment 
 against the desire he felt to confide in me, then, making 
 up his mind, said, resolutely, " Ah, bah ! as it is neces- 
 sary, I cannot hesitate. You were talking just now about 
 paying my master. Do you know that he is, I fancy, in 
 your debt?" 
 
 " I do not understand you." 
 
 " Well, listen to rne, my dear friend," Antonio said, 
 with a mysterious air ; " I will explain myself. You are 
 not ignorant that our poor Torrini is afflicted by a very 
 grave malady that touches him here (and Antonio laid his 
 hand on his forehead) ; now, since you have been with us, 
 and he fancies he can trace some resemblance to his son,
 
 DOUBTFUL APPLAUSE. 75 
 
 my master is gradually losing his sorrow, and even indulges 
 in gaiety now and then. Yesterday, for instance, during 
 his performance, you saw him make his audience laugh 
 twice or thrice, which has not occurred for a long time. 
 
 " Ah, my dear sir," Antonio continued, growing more 
 and more communicative, " if you had seen him before 
 that fatal event, when he performed in the first theatres of 
 Italy. What enthusiasm ! what spirit ! Who could have 
 foretold at that period that Count de" here Antonio 
 checked himself " that the celebrated Torrini would ever 
 be reduced to play in a barn as the rival of the lowest 
 mountebanks he, the inimitable sorcerer, the honored 
 artist, everywhere known as the handsome, the elegant 
 Torrini! However, it was only just; for he eclipsed the 
 richest professors by his luxury and distinguished manners, 
 and never did a performer more fully deserve legitimate 
 applause for his talent and address. 
 
 "However, I must confess," Antonio added, carried 
 away by his confessions, " that this applause was some- 
 times my handiwork. Doubtlessly the public appreciates 
 talent with intelligence, but it often requires to be guided 
 in the outburst of its admiration. I took charge of this 
 duty, and without saying a word to my master, I prepared 
 him several ovations which extended and prolonged his 
 success. How many times boquets, thrown at the right 
 moment, excited the applause of the entire audience ? how 
 many times murmurs of approval, skilfully introduced, 
 aroused the euthusiasm of the theatre ? What successes, 
 my dear fellow what successes we had, though, in those 
 days. I cannot give you a better idoa of them than by 
 saying that, at times, my master could hardly manage to 
 spend all the money his representations produced." 
 
 "It is a pity, that your master," I said to Antonio,
 
 76 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 " did not place less trust in the future, and save a portion 
 of that fortune which he would gladly have to-day." 
 
 "We have often made that reflection," he replied, "but 
 it only increased our regret. And how could we suppose 
 then that Fortune would turn her back on us so suddenly ? 
 Besides, my master thought luxury necessary to acquire 
 that prestige which he liked to possess, and considered 
 justly that his prodigality added to the popularity his 
 talent had procured him." 
 
 This confidential talk would probably have lasted longer, 
 had not Torrini called Antonio, who suddenly quitted me. 
 
 One incident struck me in this conversation : it was 
 when Antonio recalled his master's name. This remark 
 only increased my desire to know Torrini's history. But 
 I had no time to lose, as the last performance was an- 
 nourfc^d for the following day, and I was resolved to re- 
 turn home. 
 
 I therefore armed myself with courage to overcome the 
 repugnance which, according to Antonio, his master felt 
 about speaking of the past, and after we had breakfasted 
 together, I broke the ice, in the hope I should lead him to 
 tell me all I so much wanted to know. 
 
 "You are going to Angoulcjme to-morrow," I said to 
 him, " and I regret I cannot accompany you : we must 
 separate, however much it may cost me, after the service 
 you have rendered me, and the care you have devoted to 
 me." 
 
 I then begged him to let my family know the expenses 
 my illness had entailed, and I ended by assuring him of 
 my deep gratitude. I expected to hear Torrini oppose my 
 departure : but it was not so 
 
 "However much you may press me," he replied, with 
 the greatest calmness, "I will take nothing from you.
 
 THE AUTOMATON. 77 
 
 How can I ask payment for what has caused me so much 
 happiness ? Never talk about that. You wish to leave 
 me," he added, with that affectionate smile peculiar to 
 him, " and I say you will not leave me." 
 
 I was going to reply. 
 
 " I say you will not leave me," he repeated, quickly, 
 " because you have no reason to do so, and because, pre- 
 sently you will have a thousand to remain some time 
 longer with me. In the first place, you require great 
 care to recover your health and root out the remains of an 
 illness which might otherwise return. Besides, I will add, 
 I was awaiting your convalescence to ask a service from 
 you which you cannot refuse ; I want you to repair an 
 automaton I bought from a Dutch mechanician, of the 
 name of Opre", and I am sure you will do it admirably." 
 
 To these excellent reasons Torrini, who doubtlessly 
 feared some hesitation on my part, joined the most attrac- 
 tive promises. 
 
 " To lighten your labors," he said, " we will have long 
 talks about conjuring. I will explain to you the game of 
 piquet, that delighted you so much, and after, when that 
 subject is exhausted, I will tell you the most important 
 events of my life. You will learn from my story what a 
 man is capable of suffering short of death, and the lessons 
 you may draw from a life now almost ended may serve, 
 perchance, to guide you in a career which has hardly yet 
 commenced. Lastly," he said, offering me his hand, "your 
 presence, I trust, will help to dispel those gloomy thoughts 
 which have robbed me so long of my energy." 
 
 I could make no reply to these touching solicitations ; 
 hence I yielded to Torrini's wishes. The same day he 
 gave me the automaton I was to repair. It was a small 
 harlequin, supposed to leap out of the box in which it was
 
 78 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 confined, perform some evolutions, and return to prison at 
 the word of command ; but it was in such a bad condition, 
 that I had almost to make a new one. For this purpose 
 I arranged a small workshop in the carriage, and, two 
 days later, I began my first automatic labors, while pro- 
 ceeding along the road to Angouleme. 
 
 Never shall I forget the charm of that journey. My 
 health was perfectly restored, and with it my gaiety and 
 the full exercise of my moral faculties. Our enormous 
 vehicle, drawn by two horses, could not proceed very 
 rapidly : hence we only covered nine or ten leagues a day, 
 and even then we had to start very early. Still, in spite 
 of our slow locomotion, never did time appear to me to 
 pass so quickly or more agreeably. Was it not the reali- 
 zation of all my dreams ? What more could I desire ? 
 Installed in a small, clean room, before a window through 
 which the smiling panorama of Poitou and the Angoumois 
 was unrolled before me, I found myself amidst my beloved 
 tools, working at the construction of an automaton, in 
 which I saw the first-born of a numerous progeny : it was 
 impossible for me to imagine anything to surpass this. 
 
 On starting, I attacked my work with such impetuosity, 
 that Torrini, still anxious for my health, insisted that I 
 should take some rest after every meal. The same clay, 
 on leaving the dinner-table, he handed me a pack of cards, 
 and told me to display my skill. 
 
 Though frightened by such a clear-sighted spectator, by 
 a judge Avhose skill had so astonished me, I collected my 
 courage, and began by one of those effects to which I had 
 given the name of " flourishes." It was a brilliant pre- 
 lude, merely intended to dazzle the eyes while showing the 
 extreme agility of the fingers. Torrini regarded me with 
 indifference, and I fancied I saw a smile playing round his
 
 I SHOW MY SKILL. 79 
 
 lips. I was, I confess, rather disappointed, but he hast- 
 ened to console me. 
 
 "I really admire your address," he said, "but I put 
 little faith in those flourishes, as you call them. I find 
 them brilliant, but useless. Besides, I am curious to know 
 if you use them at the beginning or end of your card 
 tricks." 
 
 " It appears to me logical enough," I replied, " to place 
 them at the beginning, as they are only intended to dazzle 
 the spectators." 
 
 " Well, my boy," he went on, "we differ on that point. 
 I think that they ought not to be placed either at the be- 
 ginning or end of any card tricks. For this reason : after 
 such a brilliant exhibition, the spectator will only see ia 
 your tricks the result of dexterity, while, by affecting a 
 good deal of simplicity, you will prevent your audience 
 trying to account for them. Thus you produce a super- 
 natural effect, and pass for a real sorcerer." 
 
 I quite agreed in this reasoning, the more so as at the 
 beginning of my experiments I had always considered 
 nature and simplicity the bases of the art of producing 
 illusions, and I had laid down the maxim (only applicable 
 to conjuring) that "you must first gain the confidence of 
 the person you wish to cheat." Hence, I had not been 
 consistent with my principles, and humbly confessed it. 
 
 It is certainly a singular occupation for a man to whom 
 frankness is natural, to be continually engaged in conceal- 
 ing his thoughts, and seeking the best way of making 
 dupes. But may it not also be urged that dissimulation 
 and falsehood become qualities or defects according to 
 the purpose they are employed for ? 
 
 Does not the merchant, for instance, regard them as 
 precious qualities to heighten the value of his wares ?
 
 80 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Does the science of diplomacy consist in stating every- 
 thing with frankness and simplicity ? 
 
 Lastly, is not fashion, or the usages of decent society, 
 an admirable mixture of dissimulation and deceptions ? 
 
 As for the art I cultivated, what would it be without 
 falsehood ? 
 
 Encouraged by Torrini, I regained my assurance. I 
 continued practising all my tricks, and showed him several 
 new inventions of my own. My master paid me some 
 compliments, to which he added sensible advice. 
 
 "I recommend you," he said, "to moderate your viva- 
 city. Instead of displaying so much petulence in your 
 movements, affect, on the contrary, extreme calmness, and 
 thus you will avoid those clumsy gesticulations by which 
 conjurers generally fancy they distract the attention of 
 their spectators, when they only succeed in wearying them." 
 
 My professor then, adding example to precept, took 
 the cards from my hands, and showed me in the same 
 passes I had performed the finesses of dissimulation allied 
 to sleight-of-hand. I looked on with sincere admiration : 
 probably flattered by the impression he had produced on 
 me, Torrini said : 
 
 "As we are now on the subject of card tricks, I will 
 explain to you my game of piquet ; but, in the first place, 
 you must see the box I employ in its performance." 
 
 And he handed me a small box, which I turned over a 
 score times without detecting its use. 
 
 " You will seek in vain," he said to me ; "a few words 
 would put you on the right track, but I prefer, although 
 the remembrances it summons up are very painful, to tell 
 you how this box fell into my hands, and for what pur- 
 pose it was originally invented. 
 
 "About twenty years ago I was living at Florence,
 
 THE GAME OF PIQUET. 81 
 
 where I practised as a physician. I was not a conjurer 
 in those days (he added, with a profound sigh), and would 
 to Heaven I had never become so ! 
 
 " Among the young men of my own age, I was particu- 
 larly intimate with a German of the name of Zilbermann. 
 Like myself, he was a doctor, and equally like myself 
 without practice. We passed the greatest part of our lei- 
 sure hours together : in other words, we were almost in- 
 separable. Our tastes were much the same, save on one 
 point, where we differed essentially. Zilbermann was 
 passionately fond of gambling, while I felt no attraction 
 for play. My antipathy for cards must indeed have been 
 excessive to prevent me yielding to the force of contagion, 
 for my friend won large sums, enabling him to live like a 
 great gentleman, while I, though most economical, could 
 not help incurring debts. However this may be, Zilber- 
 mann and I lived on terms of fraternal intimacy. His 
 purse was at my service, but I used it discreetly, as I 
 knew not when I should be able to return what I borrowed. 
 His delicacy and generosity towards me led me to believe 
 he was frank and loyal with all the world, but I was de- 
 ceived. 
 
 " One day, when I had only left him a few hours before, 
 one of his servants came hastily to summon me, stating 
 that his master had been dangerously wounded, and 
 begged to see me at once. I ran off directly, and found 
 my unhappy friend lying on his couch with a face of 
 deadly pallor. Overcoming my grief, I proceeded to offer 
 him succor. Zilbermann stopped me, motioned me to sit 
 down, dismissed his attendants, and, after being assured 
 we were alone, begged me to listen to him. His voice, 
 weakened by the pain he was suffering, scarcely reached 
 my ear, and I was forced to stoop down over him. 
 
 P
 
 82 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 "'My dear Edmond,' he said to me, 'a man accused 
 me of cheating. I challenged him we fought with pis- 
 tols and his bullet is lodged in my chest.' 
 
 "And when I urged Zilbermann to let me attend to him, 
 he added : 
 
 "'Itis useless, my friend. I feel I am wounded to 
 death. I have hardly time to make a confession, for which 
 I claim all your indulgent friendship. Learn, then,' he 
 added, offering me a hand damp with death, ' I was not 
 unjustly insulted. I am ashamed to confess that, for a 
 long time, I have lived at the expense of my dupes. 
 Aided by a fatal skill, and still more by an instrument I 
 invented, I daily cheated at play.' 
 
 "'How you, Zilbermann?' I said, withdrawing my 
 hand sharply. 
 
 '"Yes, I !' the dying man replied, seeming by a glance 
 to supplicate my mercy. 
 
 "'Edmond!' he added, collecting all his remaining 
 strength, ' in the name of our old friendship do not aban- 
 don me ! For the honor of my family, let not this proof 
 of my infamy be found here. I implore you to remove 
 this instrument.' And he showed me a small box attached 
 to his arm. 
 
 " I unfastened it, and like yourself, my boy, looked at 
 it, without understanding its use. Revived by a thought 
 of his culpable passion, Zilbermann added, with the most 
 lively admiration, 
 
 " ' And yet see how ingenious it was. This box can be 
 attached to the arm without perceptibly increasing its size. 
 Ready packed cards are put in it beforehand ; when you 
 are going to cut, you put your hand quietly over the cards 
 on the table, so as to cover them completely ; then you 
 press this spring by resting your arm gently on the table.
 
 A CHEAT PUNISHED. 83 
 
 The prepared cards come out while a pair of pincers seize 
 the other pack and draw it up into the box. To-day, for 
 the first time, the instrument failed me the pincers left 
 a card on the table. My adversary ' 
 
 " Zilbermann could not complete the phrase ; he had 
 drawn his last gasp. 
 
 " Zilbermann's confessions and death had overpowered 
 me, and I hastened fyom his room. On returning home, 
 I began to reflect on what had happened, and, imagining 
 that my known intimacy with the deceased would forbid 
 my stay at Florence, I determined on proceeding to 
 Naples. I took with me the unlucky box, though not 
 foreseeing the use I should eventually make of it ; and 
 for a long time I forgot its existence. However, when I 
 turned my attention to conjuring, I thought about my 
 piquet trick, and the fortunate use I made of the box 
 gained me one of my most remarkable triumphs as profes- 
 sor of sleight-of-hand." , 
 
 At this recollection, Torrini's eyes sparkled with un- 
 usual brilliancy, and prepared me for an interesting anec- 
 dote. He proceeded as follows : 
 
 "A conjurer, named Comus, had invented a trick at 
 piquet, which he performed, I must allow, with extra- 
 ordinary dexterity. The praise he acquired in conse- 
 quence rendered him very boastful ; and thus he never 
 failed to announce on his bills that he alone could perform 
 this incomparable trick, thus challenging all the sleight- 
 of-hand professors known. I had some degree of reputa- 
 tion in those days, and Comus's assertion stung me. 
 Knowing his way of doing the trick, and my own to be 
 far superior, I resolved to pick up the glove he threw to 
 all his rivals.
 
 84 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 I therefore went to Geneva, where he happened to be, 
 and offered him a share performance, in which a jury 
 should decided on our relative merits. Comus gladly ac- 
 cepted, and on the day fixed an immense number of spec- 
 tators assembled. Being my senior, my opponent com- 
 menced. But, in order that you, my dear Robert, may 
 also act as jury, I will first explain to you how he per- 
 formed his trick. 
 
 " Taking a new pack of cards, he undid the cover, had 
 them shuffled, and then taking them in his hand, he man- 
 aged to get them, as if by accident, either face to face or 
 back to back. This disarrangement gave him time to 
 manipulate the cards, while appearing to be merely putting 
 them in order ; thus, when he had finished, I could easily 
 see that he had made an almost imperceptible crease on 
 certain cards, which must give him a suit of eight cards, a 
 king, and fourteen in aces. 
 
 " This doije, Comus handed the cards to his adversary, 
 begging him to shuffle them again ; and, during this time, 
 he had his eyes bandaged. This was a useless precaution, 
 let me observe en passant, for whatever care may be taken 
 to deprive a person of sight in this way, the projection of 
 the nose always leaves a vacuum sufficient to see clearly. 
 
 " When the other player had finished, Comus again 
 took up the cards as if to shuffle them ; but you can easily 
 understand that he only arranged them so that the cards 
 he had marked must fall to him in the deal. The saute de 
 coupe, as you are aware, neutralises the effect of cutting; 
 hence Comus was certain of success. In fact, matters 
 ended so on this occasion, and hearty applause greeted 
 my rival's victory. 
 
 " I have reason to believe that a great number of these 
 bravos emanated from his friends and accomplices, for
 
 A DUEL WITH CARDS. 85 
 
 when I came forward in my turn to perform my trick, a 
 murmur of dissatisfaction greeted my appearance on the 
 stage. The ill-will of the spectators was so manifest that 
 it would have intimidated me, had I not then been quite 
 steeled against all applause or dissatisfaction on the part 
 of the public. 
 
 " The audience were far from suspecting the surprise I 
 had prepared for them, for instead of asking any one to 
 come from the house as my playman, I requested Comus 
 himself to play with me. At this request I saw the people 
 begin to look at each other ; but what were the exclama- 
 tions when, after asking my rival to bandage my eyes and 
 tie my hands, I not only declined to touch the cards, but 
 left him at liberty, after stating in what suit he would be 
 repiqued, to deal the cards by twos or threes, and choose 
 the hand he preferred ! 
 
 " I had a pack ready prepared in my box, and I was 
 sure of my instrument need I say that I gained the 
 game? 
 
 " Owing to my secret arrangements, my mode of acting 
 was so simple, that it was impossible to find out how I did 
 it, while Comus's preliminary manipulations led to the 
 supposition that his dexterity gained the game. I was 
 declared victor unanimously. Shouts greeted this deci- 
 sion ; and even Comus's own friends, deserting my rival, 
 came to offer me a pretty gold pin, surmounted by a cup, 
 the symbol of my profession. This pin, as one of the 
 audience told me, had been ordered by poor Comus, who 
 felt certain of winning it back. 
 
 "I may (Torrini added) fairly boast of this victory; 
 for, though Zilbermann left me the box, he had not taught 
 me the game of piquet, which I invented myself. Was 
 not this trick, I ask you, far superior to Comus's, which,
 
 86 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 it is true, deceived the multitude, but the poorest sleight- 
 of-hand performer could easily detect?" 
 
 Torrini was extremely proud of his inventive skill ; but 
 this, I believe, was his sole defect, and he made up for it 
 by his readiness to praise other persons. His story 
 ended, I complimented him most sincerely, not only on 
 his invention, but on the victory he had gained over 
 Comus. v 
 
 Travelling in this way, and stopping at times to per- 
 form in towns where we might hope to clear a profit, we 
 passed through Limoges, and found ourselves on the road 
 leading from that town to Clermont. Torrini proposed to 
 give some performances in the chief town of the Puy-de- 
 Dome, after which he intended returning straight to Italy, 
 whose gentle climate and quaint ovations he regretted. 
 
 I had made up my mind to part from him there. We 
 had been travelling together about two months ; this was 
 about the time I had fixed for the repair of the automaton, 
 and my work was almost concluded. On the other hand, 
 I had a right to ask my dismissal, with no fear of being 
 considered ungrateful. Torrini's health had become as 
 good as we might ever expect, and I had given up to him 
 all the time I could reasonably spare. 
 
 Still I did not like to speak about our separation, for 
 the professor, delighted with my progress and skill, could 
 not conceive I could have any other wish but to travel 
 with him, and eventually become his successor. This 
 position would certainly have suited me in many respects, 
 for, as I have said, my vocation was irrevocably fixed. 
 But, whether new instincts were kindled in me, or that 
 the intimacy I lived in with Torrini had opened my eyes 
 to the unpleasantness of such a mode of life, I aimed at 
 something higher than being his successor.
 
 A SAD ACCIDENT. 87 
 
 I had therefore made up my mind to leave him ; but 
 painful circumstances deferred the moment of separation. 
 
 We had just arrived at Aubusson, a town celebrated for 
 its numerous carpet factories. Torrini and his servant 
 were on the box of the carriage: I was at work. We 
 were going down a hill, and Antonio was pulling at the 
 rope which dragged our wheels, when, suddenly, I heard 
 something break, and the carriage started off at full 
 speed. The slightest obstacles produced a tremendous 
 shock, and every moment I expected the carriage to go 
 over. 
 
 Trembling, and hardly able to breathe, I clung to my 
 bench as a plank of safety, and with my eyes closed, 
 awaited the death that appeared inevitable. For a mo- 
 ment we were on the point of escaping the catastrophe. 
 Our powerful horses, skillfully guided by Antonio, had 
 kept up bravely during this rapid descent, and we had 
 passed the first houses in Aubusson, when, as misfortune 
 willed it, an enormous hay-cart emerged from a side 
 street, and barred our passage. The driver did not see 
 the danger till it was too late to avoid it. The accident 
 was inevitable, the collision frightful. 
 
 I was momentarily stunned by the pain, but as soon as 
 I recovered I stepped out of the carriage to look after my 
 comrades. I found Antonio covered with harmless contu- 
 sions, supporting Torrini, whose arm was dislocated, and 
 leg broken. Our two horses lay dead in the road ; as for 
 the carriage, only the body remained intact : all the rest 
 was knocked to atoms. 
 
 A doctor, hurriedly sent for, reached an adjoining inn to 
 which we had been directed, almost as soon as ourselves. 
 And here I could not refrain from admiring Torrini's 
 magnanimity, when he insisted on our being looked to
 
 88 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 first ; and, in spite of our entreaties, we could not alter 
 his determination. Antonio and myself were soon all 
 right again, but this was not the case with Torrini : he 
 was obliged to undergo all the operations and different 
 phases of a broken leg. 
 
 Although he treated the accident so coolly, it might 
 produce terrible consequences for him : the repair of the 
 carriage, the physician, our forced stay at an inn, would 
 cost him very dear. Could he continue his performances 
 replace his horses? This idea caused Antonio and 
 myself cruel anxiety : Torrini alone did not despair of the 
 future. 
 
 "No matter," he said, with entire confidence in him- 
 self; "once I have recovered, all will go on well. Why 
 ought a courageous and healthy man to fear aught ? Help 
 yourself, and Heaven will help you ! our good La Fontaine 
 wrote. Well, we will all, then, help ourselves, and no 
 doubt we shall escape from this dilemma." 
 
 In order to give my company to this excellent man, and 
 distract his thoughts, I put up my bench by his bedside, 
 and, while working, continued the conversations which 
 had been so unfortunately interrupted. 
 
 The day at length arrived when I gave the last touch 
 to the automaton, and made it perform before Torrini, 
 who appeared delighted with it. Had our patient been 
 less unfortunate, I should have now quitted him ; but 
 could I leave the man who had saved my life in this way ? 
 Besides, another thought had occurred to me. Although 
 Torrini told us nothing of his pecuniary position, Antonio 
 and I' fancied he was greatly embarrassed. Was it not 
 my duty to try and relieve him, were it in my power ? I 
 imparted to Antonio a scheme he approved, though beg- 
 ging me to defer it a little longer, till. we found whether 
 our suppositions were correct.
 
 TORRINI'S HISTORY. 89 
 
 Still the days were very long by my patient's side, for 
 my mechanical job was finished, and sleight-of-hand was 
 a subject of conversation long exhausted. One day, when 
 Torrini and I were seeking some topic to talk about, I 
 remembered his promise to tell me his life history, and 
 reminded him of it. 
 
 At this request Torrini sighed. "Ah !" he said, "if I 
 
 could suppress many sad incidents in my story, I should 
 
 delight to read you a few pleasant pages from an artist's 
 
 life. However, it may be," he added, "I have contracted 
 
 .a debt with you which I must pay. 
 
 " Do not expect me to give you a journal of my life ; 
 that would be tedious both to you and to myself. I will 
 only quote some interesting episodes, and describe to you 
 some tricks you possibly have not heard of. This will be 
 the most amusing portion of my story," Torrini added, 
 with a smile, " for whatever may be your present resolu- 
 tions about following my art, I need not be a Nostradamus 
 to predict that you will devote yourself to it some day, 
 and gain immense success. What you are about to hear, 
 my friend, will show you that it is not every man who can 
 eay, with the popular proverb, ' Spring, I will not drink 
 thy water !' "
 
 90 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Torrini relates his Life Treachery of Chevalier Pinetti A Conjurer 
 through Malice A Race between two Magicians Death of Pinetti 
 Exhibits before Pius VII. The Cardinal's Chronometer Twelve 
 Hundred Francs spent on a Trick Antonio and Antonia The most 
 bitter of Mystifications Constantinople. 
 
 MY name is Edmond de Grisy, and that of Torrini be- 
 longs to Antonio, my brother-in-law. That worthy young 
 man, whom you wrongfully took for my servant, has been 
 good enough to follow me in my evil fortune, and help me 
 in my performances. You must have seen, though, by 
 the way I treat him, that while leaving to him the toil 
 better suited for his age than mine, I regard him as my 
 equal, and consider him my best friend at least I should 
 have called him so before knowing you but now, one of 
 my best friends. 
 
 My father, the Count de Grisy, resided on his property 
 in Languedoc, the sole resource left him of a once large 
 fortune, which circumstances had sadly diminished. De- 
 voted to Louis XVI., and one of his most faithful ser- 
 vants, on the day of danger he offered his body as a ram- 
 part for his sovereign, and was killed at the storming of 
 the Tuilleries on the 18th of August. 
 
 I was at that time in Paris, and, profiting by the dis- 
 orders in the capital, I was enabled to pass the barriers, 
 and reach our small family domain. There I dug up a 
 hundred louis my father had concealed for any unforseen
 
 A NOBLE CONJURER. 91 
 
 accident ; to this money I added some jewels left by my 
 mother, and with these modest resources proceeded to 
 Florence. 
 
 The value of my entire property was 5000 francs. On 
 the interest of this sum I could not live ; hence I was 
 obliged to seek some profession to support me. I soon 
 formed my decision : taking advantage of the excellent 
 education I had received, I devoted myself to the study 
 of medicine. Four years later I took my degree as doc- 
 tor ; I was then twenty- seven. 
 
 I established myself at Florence, where I hoped to form 
 a connexion. Unfortunately for me, in this town, with 
 its gentle climate and reinvigorating sun, the number of 
 physicians was greater than that of the patients, and my 
 new profession was a perfect sinecure. 
 
 I have told you how Zilbermann's death compelled me 
 to quit the capital of Tuscany, and I established myself 
 at Naples. More fortunate than at Florence, immediately 
 on my arrival I was called in to a patient whose illness 
 had defied the skill of the first Italian physicians. He 
 was a young man, of very high family; his recovery 
 gained me great renown, and I soon took my place among 
 the best Neapolitan physicians. This success, and the 
 fashion I gained by it, opened to me the doors of all the 
 salons, and my name, aided by the manners of a gentle- 
 man brought up at the court of Louis XVI., rendered mo 
 indispensable at all soire'es and festivals. 
 
 What a happy and calm existence I might still be en- 
 joying had not destiny, jealous of my happiness, destroy- 
 ed my future prospects of felicity by hurling me into the 
 vivid and ardent emotions of an artistic life ! 
 
 The carnival of 179G had just commenced. At that 
 time one man was the popular idol of the Italians ; no-
 
 92 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 thing was spoken of but the marvels achieved by Che- 
 valier Pinetti. This celebrated conjurer came to Naples, 
 and the whole city attended his interesting performances. 
 As I was madly attached to this sort of spectacle, I spent 
 every evening at the theatre, trying to guess the chevalier's 
 tricks, and unfortunately for myself, I discovered the key 
 to many of them. 
 
 But I did not stop here ; I also wished to perform them 
 before a few friends : success stimulated me, and made me 
 desirous of increasing my repertoire. At length I could 
 perform all Pinetti's tricks. The chevalier was eclipsed; 
 nothing was spoken of but my skill and address ; and every 
 one besought a performance from me. But I did not ac- 
 cede to all these requests, for I was chary in displaying 
 my talent, hoping thus to increase its value. 
 
 My privileged spectators were only the more enthu- 
 siastic, and asserted that I equalled Pinetti, if I did not 
 surpass him. 
 
 The public is so happy, my dear lad (Torrini said, with 
 a look of melancholy regret), when it can oppose some 
 rising talent to any artist in renown. It seems as if this 
 sovereign dispenser of fashion and favor takes a malicious 
 pleasure in reminding the man it adores that every reputa- 
 tion is fragile, and that the idol of to-day may be shat- 
 tered to-morrow. 
 
 My vanity forebade my thinking of this. I believed in 
 the sincerity of the praise bestowed on me ; and I, the 
 earnest student, the clever doctor, was proud of my futile 
 success. 
 
 Pinetti, far from seeming jealous of my triumph, evinc- 
 ed a desire to form my acquaintance, and even came to 
 call upon me. He might have been about forty-six years 
 of age at this time, but his elegant toilet made him ap-
 
 A FALSE FRIEND. 93 
 
 pear much younger. There was something distinguished 
 in his face, though the features were common-place and 
 irregular, and his manners were excellent. Still, by an 
 inexplicable want of judgment, he used, when perform- 
 ing, to wear a brilliant general's uniform, on which nu- 
 merous decorations glistened. 
 
 This peculiarity, which bordered too much on the char- 
 latan, ought to have enlightened me as to the man's moral 
 value ; but my passion for conjuring rendered me blind. 
 We met like old friends, and our intimacy was almost in- 
 stantaneous. Pinetti was most affable, talked about his 
 secrets unreservedly, and even offered to take me to the 
 theatre and show me his stage arrangements. I accepted 
 the offer with the greatest readiness, and we entered his 
 richly ornamented carriage. 
 
 From that moment the chevalier treated me with the 
 utmost familiarity. In any other this would have wound- 
 ed my pride, or at least aroused my suspicion, and I should 
 have been on my guard. On the contrary, I was en- 
 enchanted with Pinetti, for, by his unbounded luxury, he 
 had gained such consideration, that the noblest young 
 gentlemen in the city were proud of his friendship. Why, 
 then, should I be more haughty than they ? In a few 
 days we had become almost inseparable friends, only part- 
 ing at the time of our mutual performances. 
 
 One evening, after one of my private exhibitions, I 
 proceeded to sup as usual with Pinetti, my head still a-glow 
 with the compliments I had received. I found him alone. 
 On seeing me enter, the chevalier ran up to me, embraced 
 me affectionately, and asked how my performance, had 
 gone off. I did not hide my success from him. 
 
 " Ah ! my friend," he said, " that does not surprise me ; 
 you are incomparable : indeed, I should not be paying you
 
 94 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 a forced compliment if I said you might challenge the 
 most skillful among us." 
 
 And during the whole supper, despite my efforts to stop 
 him, he would only speak of my skilland address. Though I 
 tried to decline his compliments, the chevalier seemed so 
 sincere, that I ended by accepting them. In fact, I was 
 so convinced of their truth, that I began to pay myself 
 some compliments ; for how could I believe it was all a 
 trick to make a fool of me ? When Pinetti saw I had ar- 
 rived at this stage, and that the champagne had turned my 
 head, he said: 
 
 "Do you know, my dear count, that you could offer the 
 Neapolitans a surprise to-morrow, worth its weight in gold 
 for the poor?" 
 
 "How?" I asked. 
 
 " Suppose, my dear friend, you take my place in a per- 
 formance I am going to give on behalf of the poor. We 
 will put your name in the bills instead of mine, and it will 
 be regarded as a noble and honorable understanding be- 
 tween two artists. One repesentation the less will not in- 
 jure my reputation, while it will cover you with glory ; I 
 shall thus have the double satisfaction of helping the un- 
 fortunate, and displaying my best friend's talent to ad- 
 vantage." 
 
 This proposal so startled me, that I rose from the table, 
 as if fearing to hear more. But Pinetti was gifted with 
 such persuasive eloquence, and he seemed to promise him- 
 self so much pleasure from my future triumph, that at 
 length I ended by yielding all he asked. 
 
 " That is right," Pinetti said to me ; " dismiss such want 
 of confidence in yourself, which could be hardly pardoned 
 in a schoolboy. Now, matters settled so far, we have no 
 time to lose. Let us draw up the bill : choose among my
 
 A RASH PROMISE. 95 
 
 tricks those you prefer, and, as for the preparations trust 
 to me : I will take care all is in order." 
 
 The greater number of Pinctti's tricks were performed 
 by the help of accomplices, who brought to the theatre 
 various objects of which the conjurer had doubles. This 
 singularly facilitated the pretended marvels, and I had no 
 doubt of success. 
 
 We soon drew up the bill, at the top of which I wrote 
 my name with great emotion ; then came a list of the 
 tricks I proposed to do. Just as we finished this, the 
 usual guests entered the room, offering excuses more or 
 less specious to explain their delay. Still their tardy ap- 
 pearance aroused no suspicion in my mind ; for Pinetti's 
 was open all hours of the night, and his door was only 
 closed from daybreak till two P. M., the time he devoted to 
 sleep and dress. 
 
 As soon as the new arrivers heard of my resolution, 
 they noisily congratulated me, and promised to support 
 me by their hearty applause. Not that I wanted it, they 
 added, for my performance would create an extraordinary 
 enthusiasm. Pinetti gave one of his servants the bill, 
 telling him to order the printer to have it posted all over 
 the city before daybreak. 
 
 An impulse made me stretch out my hand to take back 
 the paper, but Pinetti checked me with a laugh. 
 
 " Come, my dear friend," he said, " do not try to fly an 
 assured triumph, and to-morrow at this hour we shall all 
 be toasting your success." 
 
 All the visitors joined in chorus, and they drank in an- 
 ticipation of my approaching triumph. A few glasses of 
 champagne dispelled my hesitation and scruples. 
 
 I returned home very late, and went to bed without 
 thinking of what had occurred. At two the next afternoon
 
 96 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 I was still asleep, when I was aroused by Pinetti s voice. 
 
 "Get up, Edmond!" lie shouted through the door. 
 " Up, man ! we have no time to lose : the great day has 
 arrived. Open the door : I have a thousand things to say 
 to you." 
 
 I hastened to open. 
 
 "Ah ! my dear count," he said, " allow me to congratu- 
 late you on your good fortune. Your name is in every 
 mouth : the whole theatre is taken ; the last tickets are 
 being positively fought for ; the king and the royal family 
 will do you the honor of being present ; we have just been 
 informed of the fact." 
 
 At these words the whole affair flashed across my mind : 
 a cold perspiration stood on my forehead : the terror that 
 assails every novice rendered me dizzy. In my confusion 
 I sat down on the foot of my bod. 
 
 " Do not reckon on me, chevalier," I said, with firm- 
 ness. " Whatever may happen, I will not perform." 
 
 "What! you will not perform?" my perfidious friend 
 said, affecting the most perfect tranquility ; " but my good 
 fellow, you cannot be thinking of what you are saying. 
 There is no possibility of drawing back : the bills are put 
 up, and it is your duty to keep the engagement you have 
 made. Besides, you should remember this performance is 
 for the poor, who have already begun to bless you, and 
 you cannot abandon them, while a refusal would be an in- 
 sult to the king. Come, come," he added, " summon up 
 your courage, my dear friend. Meet me at the theatre at 
 four : we will have a rehearsal, which I consider useless, 
 but it may restore your pluck. Till then, good-by !" 
 
 So soon as I was left to myself, I remained for nearly 
 an hour absorbed in thought, trying in vain to elude the 
 performance. An insurmountable barrier ever prevented
 
 \ FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCE. 97 
 
 escape: the king, the poor, the entire city all, in short, 
 rendered it an imperious duty to keep my rash promise. 
 At length I began to think there was no serious difficulty 
 about the performance, for a great number of the tricks, 
 as I have already said, being performed by the help of 
 friends, these took the chief labor on themselves. En- 
 couraged by this idea, I gradually regained my courage, 
 and at four o'clock joined Pinetti at the theatre with a 
 degree of assurance that surprised even him. 
 
 As the performance did not begin till eight, I had ample 
 time to make my preparations, and I employed it so well, 
 that, when the moment arrived to appear on the stage, my 
 foolish fears were coirnletely dissipated, and I presented 
 myself before the public with sufficient coolness for a 
 novice. 
 
 The theatre was crowded. The king and his family, 
 seated in a stage box, appeared to regard me with sympa- 
 thizing glances ; for his majesty was probably aware of 
 my being a French e'migre'. 
 
 I boldly commenced my performance with a trick which 
 must eminently excite the imagination of the spectators. 
 I had to borrow a ring, place it in a pistol, and fire through 
 a window opening from the stage into the sea that bathed 
 the theatre-walls. This done, I would open a box, pre- 
 viously examined, closed, and sealed by the audience, and 
 in it would be found an enormous fish bearing .the ring in 
 its mouth. 
 
 Full of confidence in the success of the trick, I pro- 
 ceeded towards the pit to borrow a ring. Of twenty 
 offered me I selected one belonging to an accomplice of 
 Pinetti's, and begged him to place it with his own hands 
 in the barrel of the pistol I handed to him. Pinetti had 
 told me that his friend would use for this purpose a copper 
 
 G
 
 98 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 ring, which would be sacrificed, and that I should return 
 him a gold one in its place. 
 
 The spectator obeyed me. I then opened the window 
 and fired the pistol. Like the soldier on the battle-field, 
 the smell of powder excited me ; I felt full of fun and 
 gaiety, and ventured on a few jests, which pleased the au- 
 dience. Taking advantage of the general hilarity, I 
 seized my magic wand and traced my cabalistic circles 
 round the box. At length I broke the seals and triumph- 
 antly produced the fish, which I carried to the owner of 
 the ring, that he might take it out of the fish's mouth. 
 
 If the accomplice play his part well, he must evince the 
 greatest stupefaction, and, indeed, the gentleman, on re- 
 ceiving the ring, began looking around him, and his face 
 grew very long. Proud of my success, I went back on 
 the stage and bowed in reply to the applause I received. 
 Ah, my dear Robert! this triumph lasted but a short 
 time, and became to me the prelude of a terrible mystifi- 
 cation. 
 
 I was proceeding to another trick, when I saw my spec- 
 tator gesticulating to his neighbors, and then turning to 
 me as if wishing to address me. I fancied he was going 
 on with the farce to dispel any suspicion of collusion ; still 
 I thought he went too far. What was my surprise, then, 
 when the man rose and said : 
 
 " Excuse me, sir, but it seems as if your trick is not 
 over, since you have given me a copper ring set with paste 
 instead of my diamond solitaire." 
 
 As a mistake seemed to me impossible, I turned on my 
 heel and commenced my preparations for the next trick. 
 
 " Sir," my obstinate spectator again took the word, 
 " will you have the goodness to reply to my question ? If 
 the end of your trick be a jest, I acknowledge it as such,
 
 A BITTER DECEPTION. 99 
 
 and you can return me my ring presently. If it be not 
 so, I cannot accept the horrible substitute you have handed 
 me." 
 
 Every one was silent : none knew the meaning of this 
 protest, though many fancied it was on ordinary mystifi- 
 cation, which would end in still greater glory for the per- 
 former. The claimant, the public, and myself found our- 
 selves in the same state of uncertainty ; it was an enigma 
 which I alone could solve and I did not know the word. 
 
 Hoping, however, to escape from a position as critical 
 as it was ridiculous, I walked up to my pitiless creditor, 
 and, on looking at the ring I had given him, I was startled 
 at finding it was really coarsely gilt copper. " Could the 
 spectator to whom I applied have been no accomplice ?" I 
 thought. "Could Pinetti desire to betray me?" This 
 supposition appeared to me so hateful that I rejected it, 
 preferring to attribute the fatal mistake to chance. But 
 what should I do or say ? My head was all on fire. 
 
 In my despair, I was about to offer the public some ex- 
 planation of this untoward accident, when an inspiration 
 temporarily relieved me from my embarrassment. 
 
 " Do you still believe, sir," I said to the plaintiff, after 
 assuming an extreme degree of calmness, " that your ring 
 has been changed into copper while passing through my 
 hands?" 
 
 fl Yes, sir ; and, besides, the one you have returned me 
 does not in the slightest degree resemble mine in shape." 
 
 "Very good, sir," I continued, boldly; "that is the 
 real marvel of the trick ; that ring will insensibly assume 
 its old form on your finger, and by to-morrow morning 
 you will see it is the one you lent me. That is what we 
 term in the language of the cabala the * imperceptible 
 transformation.' "
 
 100 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 This reply gained me time. I intended to see the 
 claimant when the performance was over, pay him the 
 price of the ring, whatever it might be, and beg him to 
 keep my secret. After this happy escape I took up a 
 pack of cards and continued my performance, and as the 
 accomplices had nothing to do in this trick, I felt sure of 
 success. Approaching the royal box, I begged his majesty 
 to do me the honor of drawing a card. He did so very 
 affably ; but to my horror, the king had no sooner looked 
 at the card he had drawn, than he threw it angrily on the 
 stage, with marks of most profound dissatisfaction. 
 
 The blow dealt me this time was too direct for me to 
 attempt parrying it or turning it aside. But I was anx- 
 ious to know the meaning of such a humiliating affront, 
 so I picked up the card. Imagine, my dear boy, the full 
 extent of my despair when I read a coarse insult to his 
 majesty, written in a hand I could not mistake. I at- 
 tempted to stammer some excuse, but by a gesture the 
 king disdainfully commanded silence. 
 
 Oh, I cannot describe to you all that then passed in my 
 mind, for a dizziness attacked my brain, and I felt as if I 
 were going mad. 
 
 I had, at length, obtained a proof of Pinetti's perfidy. 
 He had determined on covering me with disgrace and ridi- 
 cule, and I had fallen into the infamous snare he had so 
 treacherously laid for me. This idea restored my wild 
 energy : I was seized by a ferocious desire for revenge, 
 and I rushed to the side scene, where my enemy should be 
 stationed. I meant to seize him by the collar, drag him 
 on the stage like a malefactor, and force him to demand 
 pardon. 
 
 But the juggler was no longer there. I ran in every 
 direction like a maniac, but wherever I might turn, cries,
 
 AN INSULT TO ROYALTY. 101 
 
 hisses, and shouts pursued me, and distracted my brain. 
 At length, bowed -down by the -weight of such intense 
 emotions, I fainted. 
 
 For a week I remained in a raging fever, incessantly 
 yelling for revenge on Pinetti. And I did not know all 
 then. 
 
 I learned afterwards that this unworthy man, this false 
 friend, had emerged from his hiding-place on my fainting. 
 He had gone on the stage at the request of some of his 
 accomplices, and continued the performance, to the great 
 satisfaction of the entire audience. 
 
 Thus, then, all this friendship all these protestations 
 of devotion were only a farce a very juggling trick. 
 Pinetti had never felt the slightest affection for me ; his 
 flattery was only meant to draw me into the trap he had 
 laid for my vanity, and he wished to destroy by a public 
 humiliation a rival wh'o annoyed him. 
 
 He was perfectly successful in this respect, for from 
 that day my most intimate friends, fearing probably, 
 that the ridicule I endured might be reflected on them, 
 suddenly turned their backs on me. This desertion affected 
 me deeply, but I had too much pride to beg the renewal 
 of such passing friendship, and I resolved on quitting 
 Naples immediately. Besides, I was planning a scheme 
 of vengeance, for which solitude was necessary. 
 
 Pinetti, like the coward he was, had fled after the atro- 
 cious insult he had offered me. To have challenged him 
 would be doing him too much honor, so I vowed to fight 
 him with his own weapons, and humiliate the shameful 
 traitor in my turn. 
 
 This was the plan I drew up : 
 
 I determined to devote myself ardently to sleight-of- 
 hand, and study thoroughly an art of which I as yet knew
 
 102 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 only the first principles. Then, when quite confident in 
 myself when I had added many new tricks to Pinetti's 
 repertoire I would pursue my enemy, enter every town 
 before him, and continually crush him by my superiority. 
 
 Full of this idea, I sold everything I possessed, and 
 took refuge in the country, where, completely retired from 
 the world, I prepared my plans for vengeance. I cannot 
 describe to you, my friend, what patience I devoted and 
 how I toiled during the six months my voluntary retreat 
 lasted; but I was more than compensated for it, as my 
 success was complete. I gained a degree of skill to which 
 I had never dared to pretend : Pinetti was no longer my 
 master, and I became his rival. 
 
 Not satisfied with these results, I intended also to 
 eclipse him by the richness of my stage. I, therefore, or- 
 dered apparatus of unknown brilliancy in those days, 
 spending in this every farthing I possessed. With what 
 delight did I regard these glittering instruments, each of 
 which seemed to me a weapon capable of inflicting mortal 
 wounds on my adversary's vanity. How proudly my heart 
 beat at the thought of the contest I would commence with 
 him ! 
 
 Henceforth, it would be a duel of skill between Pinetti 
 and myself, but a mortal duel ; one of us must remain on 
 the ground, and I had reason to hope that I should be the 
 victor in the struggle. 
 
 Before commencing my tour I made some inquiries 
 about my rival, and learned that, after traversing Southern 
 Italy, he had just left Lucca, en route for Bologna. I 
 learned, too, that, on leaving that city, he intended to 
 visit Modena, Parma and Piacenza. 
 
 Without loss of time I set out for Modena, in order to 
 precede him there, and thus prevent him performing.
 
 A SCHEME OF REVENGE. 103 
 
 Enormous bills announced the representations of " THE 
 COUNT DE GRISY, THE FRENCH ARTIST," and my pro- 
 gramme was most attractive, for it contained all Pinetti's 
 tricks. The papers had puffed the latter so extravagantly 
 for some time past, that I felt sure my performance would 
 be gladly witnessed. 
 
 In fact, my room was taken by storm, as eagerly as on 
 my disastrous performance at Naples ; but this time the 
 result was very different. The improvements I had intro- 
 duced in my rival's tricks, and the great skill I displayed 
 in performing them, gained me a unanimous verdict. 
 
 From this time my success was insured, and the follow- 
 ing performances raised my name above that of all the 
 most fashionable magicians of the day. According to the 
 plan I had laid down, I left Modena when I heard of 
 Pinetti's approach, and went to Parma. My rival, full 
 of faith in his merits, and not believing in my success, 
 took the theatre I had just left. But he began to be 
 bitterly undeceived ; the whole city was satiated with the 
 style of amusement he announced ; no one responded to 
 his appeal, and, for the first time, the success to which he 
 was accustomed slipped from his grasp. 
 
 Chevalier Pinetti, who had so long held undivided sway, 
 was not the man to yield to a person he called a novice. 
 He had guessed my plans, and, far from awaiting the at- 
 tack, he acted on the offensive, and came to Parma, where 
 he opened a room exactly opposite mine. But this town 
 was lost to him like the last : he had the misery of seeing 
 my theatre continually filled, while his was quite deserted. 
 
 I must tell you, too, my friend, that all the money I 
 netted only covered my luxurious outlay. What did I 
 care for gold and silver ? I only dreamed of revenge, and 
 to satisfy that feeling I squandered my money. I wished,
 
 104 MEMOIRS OF ROBEKT-HOUDIN. 
 
 above all, to pale that star which had formerly eclipsed 
 me. I displayed regal pomp in my performances; the 
 theatre and its approaches were literally covered with 
 tapestry and flowers, while the house and the stage, glis- 
 tening with light, presented to the dazzled eyes of the 
 audience numerous escutcheons, bearing compliments to 
 the ladies, who were thus quite gained over to the side of 
 the gallant Count de Grisy. 
 
 In this way I crushed Pinetti, although he did all in his 
 power to offer me a vigorous resistance. But what could 
 his tinsel and old-fashioned ornaments avail against what I 
 may fairly term my elegance and distinguished manners ? 
 
 Piacenza, Cremona, Mantua, Vicenza, Padua, and Ve- 
 nice, were witnesses of our desperate struggle, and, des- 
 pite his rage and despair, the arrogant Pinetti was obliged 
 to endure my superiority, if he did not recognize it. 
 Abandoned by even his most zealous admirers, he deter- 
 mined to quit the field, and proceeded towards Russia. 
 Some slight success partly consoled his late defeats, but, 
 as if Fortune were determined on making him repay the 
 favors she had so long lavished on him, a tedious and 
 painful illness exhausted his strength as well as his slight 
 savings. Reduced to a state of abject misery, he died at 
 the village of Bartitchoff, in Volhynia, at the house of a 
 nobleman, who sheltered him from compassion. 
 
 Pinetti once gone, my revenge was satiated, and, being 
 master of the battle-field, I might have abandoned a pro- 
 fession ill fitted for my birth. But my medical connexion 
 was broken up, and, on the other hand, I yielded to a 
 motive which you will appreciate some day ; when a man 
 has once tasted the intoxication produced by the applause 
 of the public, it is very difficult to renounce it ; with my 
 will or against, I must continue my profession as conjurer.
 
 NECROMANCY IN ROME. 105 
 
 I therefore determined on profiting by the reputation I 
 had gained, and proceeded to Rome, as a brilliant termi- 
 nation to my Italian representations. Pinetti had never 
 dared to enter that city, less through distrust of himself 
 than through fear of the Inquisition, of which he could 
 only speak with terror. The chevalier was extremely 
 prudent whenever he was personally concerned : he feared 
 being treated like a sorcerer, and ending his days in an 
 auto da fe. More than once he had bid me take warning 
 by the unhappy Cagliostro, who was condemned to death, 
 and only owed to the clemency of the Pope the commuta- 
 tion of the penalty into perpetual imprisonment. 
 
 Confiding in the intelligence of Pius VII., and, besides, 
 having no pretensions to the necromancy Pinetti affected, 
 nor to the charlatanism of Cagliostro, I proceeded to the 
 capital of the Christian world, where my performances 
 created a great sensation. His Holiness himself, on hear- 
 ing of me, did me the signal honor of requesting a per- 
 formance, at which I was advised all the dignitaries of the 
 Church would form my audience. 
 
 You can fancy, my lad, with what eagerness I acquiesced 
 in his wish, and what care I devoted to my preparations. 
 After selecting all my best tricks, I ransacked my brains 
 to invent one worthy of my illustrious spectators. But I 
 had no need to search long, for chance, that most ingeni- 
 ous of inventors, came to my aid. 
 
 On the day prior to the performance I was in the shop 
 of one of the first watchmakers of Rome, when a servant 
 
 came in to ask if his eminence the Cardinal de 's 
 
 watch was repaired. 
 
 " It will not be ready till this evening," the watchmaker 
 replied ; " and I will do myself the honor of carrying it to 
 your master myself."
 
 106 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 When the servant had retired, the tradesman said to 
 me : 
 
 " This is a handsome and capital watch. The cardinal 
 to whom it belongs values it at more than 10,000 fr. ; for, 
 as he ordered it himself of the celebrated Bre'guet, he 
 fancies it must be unique of its kind. Strangely enough, 
 though, only two days ago, a young scamp belonging to 
 this city offered me a precisely similar watch, made by the 
 same artist for 1000 fr." 
 
 While the watchmaker was talking to me, I had already 
 formed a plan. 
 
 " Do you think," I said to him, "that this person is 
 still inclined to dispose of his watch?" 
 
 "Certainly," the watchmaker replied. "This young 
 prodigal, who has spent all his fortune, is now reduced to 
 sell his family jewels : hence the 1000 fr. will be welcome." 
 
 " Is he to be found ?" 
 
 "Nothing easier: in a gambling-house he never quits." 
 
 " Well, then, sir, I am anxious to purchase the watch, 
 but it must be to-day. Have the kindness, then, to buy 
 it for me. After that, you will engrave on it his emi- 
 nence's arms, so that the two watches may be perfectly 
 similar, and on your discretion the profit you make by the 
 transaction will depend." 
 
 The watchmaker knew me, and probably suspected the 
 use I intended to make of the watch ; but he was assured 
 of my discretion, as the honor of my success would depend 
 on it. Hence he said : 
 
 " I only require a quarter of an hour to go to the 
 gambling-house, and I am confident your offer will be 
 accepted." 
 
 The quarter of an hour had not elapsed ere my negotia- 
 tor returned with the chronometer in his hand.
 
 THE CARDINAL'S WATCH. 107 
 
 "Here it is!" he said, with an air of triumph. "My 
 man received me like an envoy from Providence, and gave 
 me the watch without even counting the money. To-night 
 all will be ready." 
 
 In fact, that same evening the watchmaker Drought me 
 the two chronometers, and handed me one. On compar- 
 ing them, it was impossible to detect the slightest differ- 
 ence. It cost me dear, but I was now certain of perform- 
 ing a trick which must produce a decided effect. 
 
 The next day I proceeded to the Pontiff's palace, and 
 at six o'clock, upon a signal given by the Holy Father, I 
 stepped on the stage. I had never appeared before such 
 an imposing assembly. Pius VII., seated in a large arm- 
 chair on a dais, occupied the foreground : near him were 
 seated the cardinals, and behind them were the different 
 prelates and dignitaries of the Church. 
 
 The Pope's face breathed benevolence, and it was for- 
 tunate for me, for the sight of this smiling and gentle face 
 dissipated an unpleasant idea which had been strangely 
 troubling me for some moments. 
 
 "Suppose this performance," I said to myself, "were 
 merely a feigned examination to make me confess my 
 connexion with the infernal powers ? May not my words 
 be taken down, and perhaps Cagliostro's perpetual im- 
 prisonment be reserved as the punishment for my innocent 
 experiments ?" 
 
 My reason soon dismissed such an absurdity it was 
 not probable the Pope would lend himself to such an un- 
 worthy snare. Although my fears were completely re- 
 moved by this simple reasoning, my opening address dis- 
 played my feelings in some degree, for it seemed more 
 like a justification than the prelude to a performance. 
 
 "Holy Father!" I said, bowing respectfully, "I am
 
 108 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-IIOUDIN. 
 
 about to show you some experiments to which the name 
 of ' White Magic ' has been most unjustly given. This 
 title was invented by charlatans to impress the multitude, 
 but it only signifies a collection of clever deceptions in- 
 tended to amuse the imagination by ingenious artifices." 
 
 Satisfied by the favorable impression my address pro- 
 duced, I gaily commenced my performance. I could not 
 describe to you, my dear lad, all the pleasure I felt on 
 this evening ; and the spectators seemed to take such 
 lively interest in all they saw, that I felt myself in 
 unusual spirits. The Pope himself was delighted. 
 
 " But, Monsieur le Comte," he continually said, with 
 charming simplicity, "how can you do that? I shall be 
 quite ill with merely trying to guess your secrets." 
 
 After the "blind man's game of piquet," which literally 
 astounded the audience, I performed the trick of the " burnt 
 writing," to which I owe an autograph I set great store 
 by. This is how the trick is done : 
 
 A person writes a sentence or two : he is then requested 
 to burn the paper, which must be afterwards found intact 
 in a sealed envelope. I begged his Holiness to write a 
 sentence : he consented, and wrote as follows : 
 
 " I have much pleasure in stating that M. le Comte de 
 Grisy is an amiable sorcerer." 
 
 The paper was burned, and nothing could depict the 
 Pope's astonishment on finding it in the centre of a large 
 number of sealed envelopes. I received his permission to 
 keep this autograph. 
 
 To end my performance, and set the crown on my ex- 
 plojts, I now proceeded to the trick I had invented for the 
 occassion. 
 
 Here I had several difficulties to contend with; the 
 greatest was certainly to induce Cardinal de to lend
 
 A BROKEN WATCH. 109 
 
 me his watch, and that without asking him directly for it, 
 and, to succeed, I must have recourse to a ruse. At my 
 request several watches were offered me, but I returned 
 them with the excuse, more or less true, that, as they had 
 no peculiarity of shape, it would be difficult to prove the 
 identity of the one I chose. 
 
 "If any gentleman among you," I added, "has a watch 
 of rather large size (this was the peculiarity of the card- 
 inal's), and would kindly lend it to me, I should prefer it 
 as better suited for the experiment. I need not say I will 
 take the greatest care of it ; I only wish to prove its su- 
 perority, if it really possess it, or, on the other hand, to 
 marvellously improve it.' 
 
 All eyes were naturally turned on the cardinal, who, it 
 was known, set great value on the exaggerated size of his 
 chronometer. He asserted, with some show of reason 
 perhaps, that the works acted more freely in a large case. 
 However, he hesitated to lend me his beloved watch, till 
 Pius VII. said to him : 
 
 " Cardinal, I fancy your watch will suit exactly; oblige 
 me by handing it to M. de Grisy." 
 
 His eminence assented, though not without numberless 
 precautions; and when I had the chronometer in my 
 hands, I drew the attention of the Pope and the cardinals 
 to it, while pretending to admire the works and handsome 
 chasing. 
 
 "Is your watch a repeater?" I then said to the car- 
 dinal. 
 
 " No, sir, it is a chronometer, and watches of that de- 
 gree of accuracy are not usually encumbered with unneces- 
 sary machinery." 
 
 " Indeed! a chronometer; then it must be English?" I 
 said, with apparent simplicity.
 
 110 MEMOIRS OP KOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 "What, sir?" the cardinal replied, as if stung by my 
 remark, " do you think chronometers are only made in 
 England? On the contrary, the best specimens have 
 always been made in Fr.ance. What English maker can 
 be compared with Pierre Leroy, Ferdinand Berthoud, or 
 Breguet above all, who made that chronometer for me ?" 
 
 The Pope began to smile at the cardinal's energy. 
 
 "Well, then, we will select this chronometer," I said, 
 putting a stop to the conversation I had purposely started. 
 " I have, then, gentlemen, to prove to you its solidity and 
 excellent qualities. Now for the first trial." 
 
 And I let the watch fall to the ground. A cry of terror 
 rose on all sides, while the cardinal, pale and trembling, 
 bounded from his seat, saying, with ill-suppressed wrath, 
 
 "You are playing a very sorry jest, sir." 
 
 "But, monseigneur," I said, with the greatest calmness, 
 "you have no occasion to be frightened; I merely wish to 
 prove to these gentlemen the perfection of your watch. I 
 beg you not to be alarmed ; it will escape scathless from 
 all the trials I subject it to." 
 
 With these words I stamped on the case, which broke, 
 flattened, and soon presented but a shapeless mass. At 
 first, I really fancied the cardinal was going into a fit ; 
 he could scarcely restrain his passion ; but the Pope then 
 turned to him : 
 
 " Come, cardinal, have you no confidence in our sor- 
 cerer ? For my part, I laugh like a child at it, being con- 
 vinced there has been some clever substitution." 
 
 "Will your Holiness permit me to remark," I said, re- 
 spectfully, " that there has been no substitution? I ap- 
 peal to his eminence, who will recognise his own watch." 
 
 And I offered the cardinal the shapeless relics of his 
 watch. He examined them anxiously, and finding his arms 
 engraved inside the case, said, with a deep sigh,
 
 THE WATCH MELTED DOWN. Ill 
 
 "Yes, that is certainly my watch. But," he added, 
 dryly, "I know not how you will escape, sir: at any rate, 
 you should have played this unjustifiable trick on some 
 object that might be replaced, for my chronometer is 
 unique!" 
 
 " Well, your excellency, I am enchanted at that cir- 
 cumstance, for it must enhance the credit of my experi- 
 periment. Now, with your permission I will proceed." 
 
 " Good gracious me, sir, you did not consult me before 
 destroying the watch. Do what you please, it is no con- 
 cern of mine." 
 
 The identity of the cardinal's watch thus proved, I 
 wished to pass into the Pope's pocket the one I had bought 
 the previous evening. But I could not dream of this so 
 long as his Holiness remained seated. Hence, I sought 
 some pretext to make him rise, and soon found one. 
 
 A brass motar, with an enormous pestle, was now 
 brought in. I placed it on the table, threw in the frag- 
 ments of the chronometer, and began pounding furiously. 
 Suddenly, a slight detonation was heard, and a vivid light 
 came from the vessel, which cast a ruddy hue over the 
 spectators, and produced a magical appearance. All 
 this while, bending over the mortar, I pretended to see 
 something that filled me with the liveliest astonishment. 
 
 Through respect for the Pope, no one ventured to rise, 
 but the Pontiff, yielding to his curiosity, approached the 
 table, followed by a portion of the audience. They might 
 look and look : nothing was to be seen but flame. 
 
 " I know not whether I must attribute it to the dazed 
 state of my brain," said his Holiness, passing his hand 
 over his eyes, "but I can distinguish nothing." 
 
 I, too, had much the same idea, but, far, from confess- 
 ing it, I begged the Pope to come round the table and
 
 112 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 chose a more favorable spot. During this time I slipped 
 my reserve watch into the Pope's pocket. The experi- 
 ment was certain, and the cardinal's watch had, by this 
 time, been reduced to a small ingot, which I held up to 
 the spectators. 
 
 "Now," I said, "I will restore this ingot to its original 
 shape, and the transformation shall be performed during 
 its passage to the pocket of a person who cannot be 
 suspected of complicity." 
 
 "Aha!" the Pope said, in a jocular tone, "that is be- 
 coming a little too strong. But what would you do, my 
 good sorcerer, if I asked you to choose my pocket?" 
 
 "Your Holiness need only order for me to obey." 
 
 "Well, Monsieur le Comte, let be so." 
 
 "Your Holiness shall be immediately satisfied." 
 
 I then took the ingot in my fingers, "showed it to the 
 company, and it disappeared on my uttering the word 
 "Pass." 
 
 The Pope, with manifestations of utter incredulity, thrust 
 his hand into his pocket. I soon saw him blush with con- 
 fusion, and draw out the watch, which he handed to the 
 cardinal as if afraid of burning his fingers. 
 
 At first it was supposed to be a mystification, as no 
 one could believe in such an immediate repair ; but when 
 my audience were assured that I had fulfilled my promise, I 
 received the applause so successful a trick deserved. 
 
 The next day the Pope sent me a rich diamond snuff-box, 
 while thanking me for all the pleasure I had occasioned him. 
 
 This performance created a great sensation at Rome, 
 and every one flocked to see my marvels. Perhaps they 
 hoped to witness the famous trick of the " Broken Watch," 
 which I had performed at the Vatican. But though I was 
 then very extravagant, I was not so mad as to spend
 
 ANTONIO. ]13 
 
 1200 francs a night in the performance of a trick which 
 could never again be done under such favorable auspices. 
 
 An operatic company was attached to the theatre while 
 I performed, but their performances were suspended 
 during my stay in Rome. The manager employed this 
 leisure time to rehearse a fresh piece to be performed on 
 my departure, and this gave me a daily opportunity to 
 mix with the actors. I had formed a peculiar friendship 
 with one of the youngest of them, a charming lad of 
 eighteen, with a tenor voice, whose elegant and regular 
 features formed a singular contrast to his employment. 
 His feminine face, with his small waist and timid de- 
 meanor, quite injured the effect when he played the part 
 of a lover ; he looked like a boarding-school miss in man's 
 clothes. Yet, I discovered afterwards that this effeminate 
 person contained a bold and manly heart, for Antonio 
 (such was the tenor's name) had been engaged in several 
 affairs of honor, in which he had done his manly devoir. 
 
 At this part of Torrini's story I interrupted him, for 
 the name of Antonio struck me. 
 
 What !" I said, " can it be that ?" 
 
 Certainly ; the same person ! Your astonishment is 
 justifiable, but it will cease when I tell you that more than 
 twenty years have elapsed since the time I speak of. At 
 that period, Antonio did not wear a heavy black beard, 
 and his face had not yet been embrowned by the open air 
 and the fatigues of our laborious and nomadic life." 
 
 Antonio's mother was also engaged at the theatre ; she 
 performed in the ballets, and her name was Lauretta Tor- 
 rini. Though close upon forty, she had retained all her 
 pristine charms. She must have been very beautiful in 
 her time, but the greatest scandal-mongers could not re- 
 
 H
 
 114 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 proach her with the least levity. She was the widow of a 
 government clerk, and had brought up her family by her 
 own labor. 
 
 Antonio was not her only child ; she had borne a daugh- 
 ter with him. These twins, as frequently ^happens, had 
 such a striking resemblance, that only their dress distin- 
 guished them ; and they had been christened Antonio and 
 Antonia. The lad received a musical education at the 
 theatre, but Antonia was always sedulously kept from the 
 stage. After a careful education, her mother had placed 
 her in a milliner's shop, till she could set up for herself. 
 
 I have dwelled so long on this family because, as you 
 can guess, it soon became my own. My friendship for 
 Antonio was not quite disinterested, for I owed to it an 
 introduction to his sister. Antonia was lovely and virtu- 
 ous : I asked her hand, and was accepted. Our marriage 
 was to take place as soon as my engagement had termi- 
 nated, and it was arranged that Lauretta and Antonio 
 should share our fortunes. 
 
 I have already said that Antonio appeared effeminate ; 
 but although large black eyes, fringed with long eyelashes, 
 and exquisitely pencilled eyebrows, a Grecian nose, and 
 fresh and ruddy lips, were almost wasted on Antonio, still 
 these advantages admirably suited my betrothed. Such a 
 treasure could not long remain concealed : Antonia was 
 noticed, and all the rich young nobles fluttered round her. 
 But she loved me, and had no difficulty in resisting the 
 numerous and brilliant offers made her. 
 
 While waiting the wished-for day, Antonia and I formed 
 plans for our future happiness. She would enjoy a travel- 
 ling life, and as she longed for a sea-voyage, I promised 
 to take her to Constantinople. I wished to perform before 
 Selim III., who was considered an enlightened prince, and
 
 BROTHER AND SISTER. 115 
 
 hospitably treated the artists he assembled at his court. 
 All, then, seemed to smile on ray plans, when one morn- 
 ing, while dreaming of these pleasant prospects, Antonio 
 suddenly entered my room. 
 
 "My dear Edmond," he said, "I defy you to guess 
 where I have been, and what has happened to me since 
 last evening. I must tell you, then, as prelude to my 
 story, that, dragged, in spite of myself, into a drama, 
 which threatened to become very sanguinary, I turned it 
 into a farce, the details of which are worth hearing. You 
 shall judge. 
 
 " I was at the theatre yesterday, when a carpenter, a 
 worthy man in many respects, but who spends three parts 
 of his time in public-houses, came up and begged to tell 
 me a secret. 
 
 " Monsieur Antonio," he said, " if yon wish to prevent 
 a great evil, you have no time to lose. I have just been 
 drinking with some of my comrades, and a man, whose 
 acquaintance we had formed over the bottle, told us we 
 could gain a large sum easily. The proposal was so agree- 
 able that we accepted it unanimously, on condition of 
 knowing what was wanted of us. We were told, and this 
 is what we promised to do : 
 
 " This evening, when your sister leaves her shop, we are 
 to surround her, as if quarrelling, and drown her cries by 
 
 our shouts. The Marquis d'A 's people will manage 
 
 the rest. Now do you understand ?" 
 
 I only understood too well, and, scarcely thanking the 
 carpenter, I rushed off at full speed. Fortunately my 
 brains did not fail me. I was in front of a gunsmith's : 
 I went in, bought a pair of pistols, and then hastened 
 home. 
 
 " Mother," I said, as I went in, " I have made a bet
 
 116 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 that I should be taken for Antonia by putting on her 
 clothes. Dress me, then, quickly, and tell my sister I beg 
 her to leave the shop half an hour later than usual." 
 
 My mother did as I asked, and when I was dressed I so 
 perfectly resembled Antonia that she kissed me, and burst 
 into a hearty laugh at my pleasant idea. 
 
 Nine o'ck>ck had just struck : it was the hour appointed 
 for the abduction. I hastened away, doing my best to 
 imitate my sister's walk and manner. My heart beat vio- 
 lently when I saw this band of robbers and servants ap- 
 proach me, and I instinctively put my hands on my fire- 
 arms ; but I soon resumed the timid demeanor of a young 
 girl and walked onwards. 
 
 The affair was executed just as I had been told ; I was 
 carried off with all proper respect, in spite of my feigned 
 resistance, and placed in a carriage with the blinds down. 
 
 The horses started off at a gallop. 
 
 There was a man by my side whom I recognized in the 
 
 gloom ; it was certainly the Marquis d' A . I had to 
 
 endure his warm excuses, and then his passionate assur- 
 ances, which sent the blood to my cheeks, and I was 
 several times on the point of betraying myself, but my 
 vengeance was so exquisite and near that I suppressed my 
 anger. My purpose was, so soon as I found myself alone 
 with him, to challenge him to mortal combat. 
 
 Half an hour had scarce elapsed when we reached the 
 end of our journey. The Marquis begged me to descend, 
 and politely offered me his hand to lead me into a small 
 isolated villa. We entered a brilliantly lighted room, 
 where some young gentlemen and ladies were awaiting us. 
 My abductor, radiant with victory, introduced me to his 
 friends and their companions, and received their felicita- 
 tions.
 
 THE MARQUIS DECEIVED. 117 
 
 I lowered my eyes for fear my passion might be noticed, 
 for I knew that this humiliating triumph had been reserved 
 for my sister, who would certainly have died of shame. 
 Five minutes later a servant opened the folding-doors, and 
 announced that supper was served. 
 
 "To table, friends," the marquis exclaimed "to 
 table, and let each take the place he likes best !" And 
 he offered me his arm. 
 
 We seated ourselves round a sumptuous repast, the mar- 
 quis waiting on me, for he had dismissed all the attend- 
 ants. For some time I refused to touch anything ; but, 
 you know, my dear Edmond, nature has claims which can- 
 not be neglected. I was fearfully hungry, and my appe- 
 tite was sharpened by the scent of the dainty dishes. In 
 spite of my anger, I was forced to give up my plans of 
 abstention, and yielded to temptation. 
 
 I could not eat without drinking, and there was no 
 water on the table. The other ladies had no objection to 
 wine, so I followed their example. Still I was very mo- 
 derate, and, to play my part properly, I affected great 
 reserve and extreme timidity. 
 
 The marquis was delighted to see me behaving thus. 
 He addressed some compliments to me, but noticing they 
 were disagreeable, he did not press me, feeling assured 
 that he could take his revenge at a more suitable season. 
 
 We had reached the dessert ; the whole of the company 
 were in a charming humor. May I confess to you, my 
 dear Edmond, that the sight of these merry comrades and 
 coquettish dames produced the same effect on my senses 
 as the dishes had done on my appetite, and insensibly dis- 
 pelled my gloomy ideas ? I had no strength left to con- 
 tinue the dramatic character I had undertaken, and I 
 sought a more satisfactory conclusion. I soon made up 
 my mind.
 
 118 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Three toasts had been drunk in succession : " Wine !" 
 "Play!" "Love!" The ladies had joined in emptying 
 their glasses, while I remained calm and silent. The 
 marquis begged me in vain to join in the general gaiety. 
 Suddenly I rose, glass in hand, and assuming the free- 
 and-easy manner of a soldier 
 
 "Per Bacco !" I shouted, in a baritone voice, giving 
 the marquis a hearty slap on the shoulder. " Drink, my 
 friends, to the lovely eyes of these ladies!" Then I 
 drained my glass at a draught, and trolled out a lively 
 ditty. 
 
 I cannot describe the marquis's feelings ; all I know 
 is, he turned to stone under my hand. His friends re- 
 garded me in stupor, taking me, doubtlessly, for a maniac, 
 while the women laughed convulsively at my strange 
 outbreak. 
 
 " Well, gentlemen," I continued, " why are you sur- 
 prised ? Do yo not recognize Antonio Torrini, the tenor, 
 all alive and well, and prepared to accept anybody's chal- 
 lenge with the pistol or the glass, he doesn't care which." 
 At the same time I laid my pistols on the table. 
 
 At these words, the marquis at length awoke from the 
 torpor into which the evanishment of his sweet dreams 
 had plunged him, and he raised his hand to strike me in 
 the face. But his eyes no sooner met mine, than, yield- 
 ing to the influence of an illusion which he abandoned 
 with such pain, he fell back on his chair. 
 
 " No !" he said, " I cannot strike a woman." 
 
 " Oh, as for that, M. le Marquis," I said, as I left the 
 table, " I only ask ten minutes to appear before you in 
 my proper attire." I then went into an adjoining room, 
 where I doffed gown, petticoats and finery : I had kept 
 all my own clothes under my feminine masquerade with
 
 TORRINI IS MARRIED. 119 
 
 the exception of my coat. That article of clothing not 
 being indispensable to receive a blow, and as I was in 
 fighting costume, I returned to the dining-room. 
 
 During my absence the scene had changed. I seemed 
 to have " missed my cue," as they say in the theatre, 
 when an actor does not arrive in time to reply. All the 
 guests regarded me with smiles, and one coming up, said : 
 
 " Monsieur Antonio, my friend's seconds and yours, 
 appointed ex officio during your absence, are agreed that 
 you have taken ample satisfaction, and have no occasion 
 to fight. Do you approve of our decision ?" 
 
 I offered my hand to the marquis, who took it with very 
 ill grace, for he evidently could not stomach the bitter 
 trick I had played him. This de'noument satisfied my 
 vengeance, and I withdrew. But, before leaving, each of 
 us pledged our honor to discretion, in which the ladies 
 joined. 
 
 After thanking Antonio for his devotion to me, and 
 complimenting him on his quickness, I added : 
 
 " These gentlemen acted very gallantly in confiding a 
 secret to the ladies ; but I, who flatter myself I can read 
 the human heart, say with Fra^ois I., 
 
 Souvent femme varie, 
 Bien fol est qui s'y fie. 
 
 For this reason the marriage shall take place the day 
 after to-morrow, and in three days we will start for Con- 
 stantinople." 
 
 Antonio loved his sister as much as myself, and he was 
 right, (Torrini added,) for she was the most perfect woman 
 earth ever saw. She was an angel !
 
 120 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 The Count de Grisy was so excited by these reminis- 
 cences, that he raised his arms to heaven, where he seemed 
 to seek the woman he had so deeply loved. But he fell 
 back on his pillow again, exhausted by the agony the dis- 
 arrangement of his bandages produced. He was forced 
 to break off his narrative till the next day.
 
 THE SULTAN'S PALACE. 121 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Continuation of Torrini's History The Grand Turk orders a Per- 
 formance A marvellous Trick A Page cut in two Pitying Pro- 
 test of the Harem Agreeable Surprise Return to France Tor- 
 rini's Son Killed Madness Decay My first Performance An 
 annoying Accident I return Home. 
 
 THE next day, Torrini continued his narration, without 
 awaiting any request from me : 
 
 On arriving at Constantinople, we enjoyed for some 
 time a delicious rest, whose charm was heightened by all 
 the intoxication of the honeymoon. At the end of the 
 month, however, I thought our mutual happiness ought 
 not to prevent me trying to realize the plan I had formed 
 of performing in the presence of Selim III. ; but, before 
 asking this favor, I thought of giving some performances 
 in the town. However great my reputation might be in 
 Italy, it was hardly probable that my name had crossed 
 the Mediterranean: hence I had a new reputation to 
 achieve. 
 
 I had a theatre erected, in which my success continued : 
 crowds came to see me, and the highest personages were 
 my constant visitors. I may be permitted to boast of this 
 success, my lad, for the Turks, naturally indolent and 
 phlegmatic, when utterly astounded by the sight I offered 
 them, reminded me, by their enthusiasm, of my excitable 
 Italian spectators.
 
 122 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 The grand vizier himself came to one of my perform- 
 ances. He spoke about it to his sovereign, and excited 
 his curiosity to such a degree, that I received an invita- 
 tion, or rather a command, to court. I proceeded, in all 
 haste, to the palace, where the apartment was shown me 
 in which the performance would take place. A body of 
 workmen was placed at my orders, and I was allowed all 
 latitude for my theatrical arrangements. Only one stipu- 
 lation was made : the stage must be exactly in front of a 
 gilded lattice, behind which, I was told, the Sultan's wives 
 would be seated. 
 
 Within two days, my theatre was erected and completely 
 decorated. It represented a garden, filled with natural 
 flowers, whose lively colors and fragrant scent delighted 
 both sight and smell. At the rear, and in the midst of 
 dense foliage, a fountain fell back, in thousands of drops, 
 into a crystal basin, sparkling like diamonds in the bril- 
 liant light, while, at the same time, the falling water deli- 
 ciously cooled the air. Lastly, to my right and left, 
 hedges of flowers served as side scenes and laboratory, 
 while the buffet, loaded with my brilliant apparatus, was 
 erected in the centre of this Garden of Armida. 
 
 When all was ready, the Sultan and his numerous suite 
 took the places assigned to them, according to their court 
 precedence. The Sultan reclined on a sofa, with the grand 
 vizier by his side, while an interpreter, keeping respect- 
 fully in the rear, translated my remarks to him. When 
 the curtain rose, a shower of rose-leaves fell on the stage, 
 and formed an odoriferous and deliciously soft carpet. I 
 then appeared, dressed in a rich Louis XV. costume. 
 
 I will spare you the account of my tricks, with the ex- 
 ception of one, which, like the "broken watch," was the 
 inspiration of the moment. I must add, that my specta-
 
 THE PAGE SAWN ASUNDER. 123 
 
 tors had been already considerably startled when I per- 
 formed it. 
 
 Addressing Selim in the grave and solemn tone proper 
 to a magician, I said : 
 
 "Noble Sultan, I am about to proceed from simple 
 tricks of skill to the sublime science of magic : but, in 
 order that my incantations may succeed, I must address 
 myself directly to your august highness. Will you be 
 pleased to lend me this ornament which I require ?" 
 
 And I pointed to a, splendid necklace of pearls which 
 adorned his neck. The Sultan handed it to me, and I 
 placed it in the hands of Antonio, who was helping me, 
 in a page's costume. 
 
 "It is well known," I continued, "that magicians pos- 
 sess unlimited powers, for they hold in subjection familiar 
 spirits, who blindly obey their masters' orders. Let these 
 spirits, then, prepare to obey me, for I am about to sum- 
 mon them." 
 
 Here I majestically traced a circle round me with my 
 wand, and pronounced, in a low voice, certain magic 
 spells. Then I turned to my page, to take the collar 
 from him, but it had disappeared. In vain I asked 
 Antonio for it : his only reply was a hoarse and sarcastic 
 laugh, as if he were possessed by one of the spirits I had 
 summoned. 
 
 " Mighty prince," I then said to the Sultan, " believe 
 me when I say that, far from sharing in this audacious 
 theft, I am forced to confess myself the victim of a plot I 
 did not at all foresee. But your highness may be reas- 
 sured : we possess means of forcing our subordinates to 
 return to their duty. These means are as powerful as 
 they are terrible, and I will offer you an example." 
 
 At my summons two slaves brought in a long and
 
 124 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 narrow chest, and a trestle for sawing wood. Antonio 
 seemed to be terribly alarmed, but I coldly ordered the 
 slaves to seize him, place him in the chest, the cover of 
 which was immediately nailed down, and lay it across the 
 trestle. Then, taking up a saw, I prepared to cut the 
 chest asunder, when piercing cries were heard from behind 
 the gilt lattice the Sultan's wives were protesting against 
 my barbarity. I stopped a moment to give them time to 
 recover ; but so soon as I set to work again, new protes- 
 tations, in which I distinguished threats, compelled me to 
 suspend my operations. 
 
 Not knowing if I might be allowed to address the gilt 
 lattice, I determined to reassure these sympathizing ladies 
 indirectly. 
 
 " Gentlemen," I said to my numerous audience, " have 
 no fears, I beg, for the culprit ; instead of feeling any 
 pain, I assure you he will experience the most delightful 
 sensations." 
 
 It was evident that my statement was believed, for 
 silence was restored, and I could continue my experiment. 
 The chest was at length divided into two parts ; I raised 
 them so that each represented a pedestal ; I then placed 
 them side by side, and covered them with an enormous 
 wicker cone, over which I threw a large black cloth, on 
 which cabalistic signs were embroidered in silver. This 
 duly performed, I recommenced my little farce of magic 
 circles and bombastic words ; when suddenly the deep 
 silence was interrupted by two voices performing an ex- 
 quisite duet beneath the black cloth. 
 
 During this time Bengal lights were kindled all around 
 as if by enchantment. At length the fires and the voices 
 having gradually died away, a noise was heard, the cone 
 and the cloth were upset, and All the spectators
 
 ANTONIO AND ANTONIA. 125 
 
 uttered a cry of surprise and admiration : for two pages, 
 exactly alike, appeared on the pedestals, holding a silver 
 salver, on which lay the collar of pearls. My two Anto- 
 nios walked up to the Sultan, and respectfully offered him 
 his rich ornament. 
 
 The whole audience had risen as if to give more effect 
 to the applause bestowed on me ; the Sultan himself 
 thanked me in his own language, which I did not under- 
 stand, but I fancied I read in his face an expression of 
 deep satisfaction. The next day an officer of the palace 
 came to compliment me on behalf of his master, and offered 
 me the collar which had been so cleverly juggled away 
 the previous evening. 
 
 The trick of the two pages, as I called it, was one of the 
 best I ever performed, and yet it was probably one of the 
 most simple. Of course you understand, my dear boy, 
 that Antonio disposed of the collar while I distracted 
 public attention by my incantations. You also under- 
 stand that, while he was being nailed up in the chest, he 
 escaped through an opening corresponding with a trap in 
 the stage; hence I had only to cut through planks. 
 Lastly, by the aid of the cone and the cloth, Antonio and 
 his sister, dressed precisely alike, came up through the 
 trap and took their places on the pedestals. The mise en 
 scene, and the coolness of the performers, did the rest. 
 
 This trick created great excitement in the city ; the 
 story, passing from mouth to mouth, soon attained the 
 proportions of a miracle, and contributed much to the 
 success of my remaining performances. 
 
 I might have realized a large fortune by making a tour 
 through the Turkish provinces, but I was mortally tired 
 of the peaceful life I was leading, and I felt the need of 
 changing my ground and seeking fresh excitement. Be-
 
 126 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 sides, I began to feel a degree of nostalgia, and as my 
 wife begged me to return to Italy, or some other Christian 
 country, as she did not wish our first-born to come into 
 the world among Pagans, we set out for France. 
 
 It was my intention to proceed to Paris, but, on arriv- 
 ing at Marseilles, I read in the papers the advertisements 
 of a conjurer of the name of Olivier. His programme 
 contained the whole of Pinetti's tricks, which was almost 
 my own. Which of the two was the plagiarist ? I have 
 reason to believe it was Olivier. At any rate, having no 
 desire to engage in a new passage of arms, I evacuated 
 the town. 
 
 It is impossible for me, my friend, to describe to you 
 my itinerary during sixteen years; suffice it to say, I 
 traversed the whole of Europe, stopping, of preference, in 
 the chief towns. For a long time my reputation remained 
 at its zenith, but suddenly, like Pinetti, I was destined to 
 experience the inconstancy of Fortune. 
 
 One fine day I found my star beginning to pale ; the 
 public did not flock so eagerly to my performances. I no 
 longer heard the bravos that used to greet my appearance 
 on the stage, and the spectators appeared to me indifferent. 
 How was this ? What could be the cause of this capricious 
 change ? My repertoire was still the same : it was my 
 Italian one, of which I was so proud, and for which I had 
 made such sacrifices ; I had introduced no change ; the 
 tricks I submitted to the public were the same which had 
 been so warmly accepted. I felt, too, that I had lost none 
 of my vigor, skill, or spirit. 
 
 Precisely because I had made no change, the public had 
 begun to grow indifferent ; as an author has observed, very 
 justly, "the artist who does not rise, descends;" and this 
 was peculiarly applicable to my position : while civiliza-
 
 A CHANGE OF PERFORMANCE. 127 
 
 tion had been progressing, I remained stationary hence, 
 I was going down. 
 
 When this truth struck me, I made a complete reform 
 in my programme. The card tricks no longer possessing 
 the charm of novelty, as the meanest jugglers could do 
 them, were nearly all suppressed, and I substituted other 
 experiments. 
 
 The public like, and run after, touching scenes ; I in- 
 vented one, which, in this respect, would certainly satisfy 
 them, and draw them back to me. But why did Heaven 
 allow me to succeed ? why did my brain conceive this fatal 
 idea ? (Torrini exclaimed, raising his hands to heaven, and 
 his eyes filling with tears.) Had it not been so, I should 
 still have my son, and should not have lost my Antonia ! 
 
 It was some time before Torrini could continue his nar- 
 rative, for these terrible reminiscences caused him mental 
 torture. At length, after holding his hand over his eyes 
 for some time, as if trying to concentrate himself in his 
 grief, he continued : 
 
 About two years ago I was at Strasburg ; I was per- 
 forming at the theatre, and every one was anxious to see 
 my touching scene, which I had named " The Son of 
 William Tell." My son Giovanni played the, part of 
 Walter, the son of the Swiss hero, but, instead of placing 
 the apple on his head, he held it between his teeth. On a 
 given signal, a spectator armed with a pistol, fired at Gio- 
 vanni, and the ball lodged in the heart of the fruit. 
 
 Owing to the success of this trick, my money-box was soon 
 filled again. This restored my confidence in the future, 
 and, far from profiting by the lessons of adversity, I re- 
 assumed my luxurious habits, as I fancied I had again 
 pinioned Fortune, and she could not slip from me.
 
 128 MEMOIRS OP ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 This illusion was fearfully dispelled. 
 
 " The Son of William Tell," of which I had made a 
 separate act, usually terminated the performance. We 
 were about to execute it for the thirtieth time, and I had 
 ordered the curtain to be dropped in order to have the 
 stage arranged as the public square of Altorf, but all at 
 once my son, who had just put on the traditional Helvetic 
 costume, came to me, complaining of a sudden indisposi- 
 tion, and begging me to hurry on the performance. I had 
 just seized the bell-rope to warn the carpenters to raise 
 the curtain, when my son fell down in a fainting fit. 
 
 Without caring for the impatience of the public, we paid 
 all attention to my poor Giovanni, and I bore him to a 
 window. The fresh air soon restored him still, there 
 was a mortal pallor on his face, which would prevent his 
 appearance in public. I was myself assailed by a strange 
 presentiment, which urged me to stop the performance, 
 and I resolved to announce it to the public. 
 
 The curtain was drawn up, and, with features contracted 
 by anxiety, I walked to the footlights, Giovanni even paler 
 than myself, and scarce able to stand, being at my side. I 
 briefly explained the accident that had happened, ren- 
 dering it impossible to perform the final experiment, and 
 offered to* return the entrance money to any who might 
 feel dissatisfied. But at these words, which might excite 
 great confusion and grave abuses, my courageous son, 
 making a supreme effort, stated that he felt better, and 
 able to perform his share in the trick, which, after all, was 
 passive, and not at all fatiguing. 
 
 The public received this intimation with lively applause, 
 and I, the insensate and barbarous father, taking no heed 
 of the warning that heaven had sent me, had the cruelty, 
 the madness, to accept this generous act of devotion. Only
 
 A FATAL TRICK. 129 
 
 one word was needed to prevent ruin, dishonor, and death, 
 yet that word died away on my lips ! Listening solely to 
 the noisy applause of the audience, I allowed the perform- 
 ance to commence. 
 
 I have already stated the nature of the trick that at- 
 tracted the whole town ; it consisted in substituting one 
 ball for another. A chemist had taught me how to make a 
 metallic composition bearing an extraordinary resemblance 
 to lead. I had made balls of it which, when placed by the 
 side of the real ones, could not be detected. The only pre- 
 caution ncccessary was not to press them too hard, as they 
 were of a very friable nature ; but for the same reason, 
 when inserted in the pistol, they fell into an impalpable 
 powder, and did not go further than the wad. 
 
 Till now I had never dreamed of any danger in the 
 performance of this trick, and, indeed, I had taken all 
 possible precautions. The false bullets were contained in 
 a small box, of which alone I had the key, and I only 
 opened it at the moment of action. That evening I had 
 been peculiarly careful ; then how can I explain the fright- 
 ful error? I can only accuse fatality. So much is cer- 
 tain a leaden bullet had been mixed with the others 
 in the box, and was inserted in the pistol. 
 
 Conceive all the horrof of such an action ! Imagine a 
 father, with a smile on his lips, giving the signal which 
 will deprive his son of life it is frightful, is it not? 
 
 The pistol was fired, and the spectator, with cruel 
 adroitness, had aimed so truly that the bullet crashed 
 through my son's forehead. He fell forward with his face * 
 to the ground, rolled over once or twice, and 
 
 For a moment I remained motionless, still smiling at 
 the audience, and incapable of believing in such a misfor- 
 tune. In a second a thousand thoughts crossed my brain. 
 
 I
 
 130 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIX. 
 
 Could it be an illusion, a surprise I had prepared, and 
 which I had momentarily forgotten ? or was it the return 
 of my son's attack? 
 
 Paralysed by doubt and horror, my feet clung to the 
 stage ; but the blood welling profusely from the wound 
 violently recalled me to the terrible reality. At last I 
 understood all, and, mad with agony, I cast myself on 
 my son's lifeless corpse. 
 
 I know not what took place afterwards, or what became 
 of me. When I recovered the use of my senses, I found 
 myself in prison, with two men before me, a physician and 
 a magistrate. The latter, sympathising with me, was 
 kind enough to perform his painful mission with all pos- 
 sible regard for my feelings ; but I could scarce under- 
 stand the questions he addressed to me ; I knew not what 
 to reply, and I contented myself with shedding tears. 
 
 I was fully committed, and brought up at the next 
 assizes. I assure you I took my place in the dock with 
 indescribable delight, hoping I should only leave it to re- 
 ceive the just punishment of the crime I had committed. I 
 was resigned to die ; I even Ayished it, and I determined to 
 do all in my power to get rid of a life which was odious 
 to me. Hence, I offered no defence ; but the court re- 
 quested a barrister to undertake my cause, and he defend- 
 ed me with great skill. I was found guilty of " Homicide 
 through imprudence," and sentenced to six months' im- 
 prisonment, which I passed in an infirmary. Here I saw 
 Antonio again for the first time, who brought me terrible 
 news: my dear Antonia, unable to endure such compli- 
 cated misery, had died of a broken heart. 
 
 This new blow affected me so much that I was nearly 
 dead. I spent the greater period of my imprisonment 
 in a state of weakness akin to death ; but at length my
 
 A PLAN IS FORMED. 131 
 
 vigorous constitution overcame all these shocks, and I, 
 regained my health. I had quite recovered when the doors 
 of my prison were opened. 
 
 Grief and remorse accompanied me wherever I went, 
 and cast me in a state of apathy from which nothing could 
 arouse me. For three mouths I behaved like a madman, 
 running about the country, and only eating just enough 
 to keep me from perishing of hunger. I went forth at 
 daybreak, and did not return till night. I could not pos- 
 sibly have said what I did during these lengthened excur- 
 sions, but I probably walked about with no other object 
 than to change place. 
 
 Such an existence could not last long ; poverty, and 
 her mornful handmaids, soon preyed upon me. My wife's 
 illness, my imprisonment, and our expenses during these 
 three months of listlessness, had swallowed up, not only 
 my money, but also all my apparatus. Antonio explained 
 our situation to me, and begged me to recommence my 
 performances. 
 
 I could not leave this good brother, this excellent friend, 
 in such a critical position ; I therefore acceded to his en- 
 treaties, on condition that I should change my name to 
 Torrini, and never perform in any theatre. Antonio 
 offered to arrange everything to my wish. By selling the 
 valuable presents I had received on various occasions, and 
 which he had managed to secrete from the officers, he paid 
 my debts, and had the carriage built in which we suffered 
 this painful accident. 
 
 From Strasburg we proceeded to Basle. My first per- 
 formances were stamped with the deepest sorrow, but I 
 gradually substituted skill and care for my gaiety and 
 good spirits, and the public accepted the change. After 
 visiting the principal towns in Switzerland, we returned to
 
 132 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 France, ana it was thus I found you my dear boy, on the 
 road between Tours and Blois. 
 
 I saw by Torrini's last sentences, and the manner in 
 which he tried to shorten his narrative, that he not only 
 required rest, but also to recover from the painful emotions 
 these melancholy reminiscences had evoked. A few words, 
 too, Torrini had dropped confirmed my notion that he was 
 in a pecuniary dilemma ; hence, I left him under the pre- 
 tence of letting him sleep, and begged Antonio to take a 
 walk with me. I wanted to remind him it was time to 
 carry out the plan we had formed, which consisted in giv- 
 ing a few performances at Aubussen, without dropping a 
 word of it to our dear master. Antonio was of my opin- 
 ion; but when it came to deciding which of us should 
 perform, he positively asserted he knew no more of the 
 conjuring art than he had been obliged to learn he could 
 slip a card, a handkerchief, or a coin into a person's 
 pocket, if required, but nothing more. I learned later 
 that Antonio, though not very skillfuj, knew more than he 
 pretended. 
 
 We decided that I should represent the sorcerer ; and 
 I must have been animated with a great desire to help 
 Torrini, and pay him in part the debt of gratitude I owed, 
 ere I consented to mount a stage so suddenly. For, 
 although I had shown my friends some of my tricks, the 
 performance had always been gratuitous ; now I had to do 
 with spectators who paid for their seats, and this caused 
 me considerable apprehension. 
 
 Still, my resolution once formed, I proceeded with An- 
 tonio to the mayor's, in order to obtain permission to per- 
 form. This magistrate was an excellent man ; aware of 
 the accident that had happened to us, and that he had it
 
 A SAD ACCIDENT. 133 
 
 in his power to do a good deed, he offered us the gratui- 
 tous use of a concert-room. More than this, to give us a 
 chance of forming some acquaintances who might be of 
 use to us, he begged us to come to his house the next 
 Sunday evening. We accepted this offer gratefully, and 
 had reason to congratulate ourselves on it. The mayor's 
 guests, pleased with certain tricks I showed them, faith- 
 fully kept their promise of attending my first performance, 
 and not one was missing. 
 
 My heart panted audibly when the curtain rose, and I 
 was obliged to whisper to myself that the spectators, aware 
 of the object of my performance, would be inclined to 
 look over much. Some cheering applause restored my 
 confidence, and' I got through my first tricks very de- 
 cently. This success heightened my assurance, and at 
 length I acquired a degree of coolness I did not think 
 myself capable of. 
 
 It is true, I was perfectly aufait in my tricks, through 
 having seen Torrini perform them so often. The princi- 
 pal ones were, the Trowel, the Pyramids of Egypt, the 
 Bird Dead and Alive, and the Omelette in the Hat. I 
 concluded with the Blind Man's Game of Piquet, which I 
 had carefully studied ; I was fortunate enough to succeed, 
 and was warmly applauded. 
 
 An accident that happened during the performance sin- 
 gularly lessened the joy I felt in my triumph. I had 
 borrowed a hat to make an omelette in. Those who have 
 seen this trick are aware that it is chiefly intended to 
 produce a laugh, and that the object borrowed runs no 
 risk. I had got through the first part excellently, con- 
 sisting in breaking the eggs, beating them, throwing in tho 
 salt and pepper, and pouring it all into the hat. After 
 this, I had to feign the frying of the omelette j I placed
 
 134 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 a candle on the ground, then, holding the hat sufficiently 
 high above it to escape the flame, I began turning it 
 gently round, while making some of the stereotyped jokes 
 adapted to the trick. The public laughed so heartily and 
 loudly that I could scarce hear myself speak, but I could 
 not suspect the cause of their hilarity. Unfortunately, I 
 detected it only too soon. A strong scent of burning 
 made me turn my eyes on the candle: it had gone out. 
 I then looked at the hat : the crown was quite burned and 
 stained. I had kept on turning the hat round unsuspect- 
 ingly, until I at length put it on the top of the candle and 
 covered it with grease. 
 
 Quite dazed by this sight, I stopped, not knowing how 
 to escape. Fortunately for me, my alarm, though so 
 truthful, was regarded as a well played farce : it was sup- 
 posed this was only a heightened effect, and this confi- 
 dence in my skill was an additional torture, for my super- 
 natural power could not repair a hat. My only chance 
 was to gain time ; so I continued the trick, with a tolera- 
 bly easy air, and produced to the public a splendidly 
 cooked omelette, which I had enough courage left to 
 season with a few jokes.' 
 
 Still, that quarter of an hour of which Rabelais speaks 
 had arrived. I must restore the hat, and publicly confess 
 myself a clumsy blockhead. I had resigned myself to 
 this, and was going to do so, with all the dignity I could 
 muster, when I heard Antonio call me from the side. His 
 voice restored my courage, for .1 felt assured he had pre- 
 pared some way for escape. I went up to him, and found 
 him standing with a hat in his hand. 
 
 " Look here," he said, exchanging it for the one I held, 
 " it's yours ; but no matter, keep a good face : rub it as 
 if you were removing the stains, and, on handing it to 
 the owner, ask him, gently, to read what is at the bottom."
 
 A KIND ACCOMPLICE. 135 
 
 I did as he told me ; and the owner of the burnt hat, 
 after receiving mine, was going to betray me, when I 
 pointed to the note fastened in the crown. It ran as 
 follows : 
 
 " An act of carelessness caused me to commit a fault, 
 which I will repair. To-morrow I will do myself the 
 honor of asking your hatter's address : in the meanwhile, 
 be kind enough to act as my accomplice." 
 
 My request was granted, for my secret was honestly 
 kept, and my professional honor saved. The success of 
 this performance induced me to give several others : the 
 receipts were excellent, and we realized a very fair sum. 
 Immense was our joy when we carried our treasure tri- 
 umphantly to Torrini. That worthy man, after listening 
 to all the details of our plot, was half inclined to scold 
 us for our secrecy, but he could not find heart to do so. 
 He thanked us most heartily, and we began to set matters 
 straight again, as our master was now convalescent, and 
 could attend to his own business. Torrini paid all his 
 creditors in full, purchased two horses, and, having 
 nothing further to do at Aubusson, he determined on 
 starting. 
 
 The moment of our separation had arrived, and my old 
 friend had been arming himself for it during several days. 
 The parting was painful to us all ; a father quitting his 
 son, without hope of ever seeing him again, could not 
 have displayed more violent grief than did Torrini when 
 pressing me in his arms for the last time. I, too, felt in- 
 consolable at the loss of two friends with whom I would 
 so gladly have passed my life.
 
 136 MEMOIRS OF ROBE11T-HOUDIN. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The Prodigal Son Mademoiselle Houdin I go to Paris My Mar- 
 riage Comte Studies of the Public A skillful Manager Rose- 
 colored Tickets A Musky Style The King of Hearts Ventrilo- 
 quism The Mystifiers Mystified Father Roujol Jules de Rorere 
 Origin of the word prestidigitatuer. 
 
 How my heart beat when I returned to my native 
 town ! I felt as if I had been absent an age, and yet it 
 was only six months. The tears stood in my eyes as I 
 embraced father and mother : I was stifled with emotion. 
 I have since made long journeys in foreign countries ; I 
 have always returned to my family safely, but never, I can 
 declare, have I been so profoundly affected as on this 
 occasion. Perhaps it is the same with this impression as 
 with so many others, habit at last renders it flat. 
 
 I found my father very quiet on my account, for I had 
 employed a trick to ease his mind. A watchmaker of my 
 acquaintance had sent him my letters, as if from Angers, 
 and he had also forwarded me the replies. Still, I must 
 furnish some reason for' my return, and I hesitated about 
 describing my stay with Torrini. At length, however, 
 urged by that desire, common to all travellers, of narrat- 
 ing their travelling impressions, I gave an account of my 
 adventures, even to their minutest details. 
 
 My mother, frightened, and thinking I was still brain- 
 struck, did not await the end of my narrative to send for
 
 I KETUltN HOME. 137 
 
 a physician, who reassured her by stating, what my face 
 indeed confirmed, that I was in a state of perfect health. 
 
 It may be thought, perhaps, that I have dwelt too long 
 on the events that followed my poisoning; but I was com- 
 pelled to do so, for the experience I acquired from Torrini, 
 his history, and our conversations, had a considerable in- 
 fluence on my future life. Before that period my inclina- 
 tion for conjuring was very vague : from that time it 
 gained a complete mastery over me. 
 
 Still, I was bound to wrestle against this feeling with 
 all my energy, for it was not presumable that my father, 
 who had unwillingly yielded to my passion for watch- 
 making, would be so weak as to let me try a novel and 
 most singular profession. I could, certainly, take advan- 
 tage of my being of age, and my own master ; but, besides 
 my unwillingness to grieve my father, I reflected, too, that 
 as my fortune was very small, I ought not to risk it with- 
 out his consent. These reasons induced me to defer, if 
 not renounce, my plans. 
 
 Besides, my success at Aubusson had not altered my 
 decided opinion about conjuring, that a man who wishes to 
 be thought capable of performing incomprehensible things 
 should have attained an age which leaves it to be supposed 
 that his superiority is the result of lengthened study. 
 The public may permit a man of forty to deceive them, 
 but they will not bear it from a young man. 
 
 After a few days devoted to killing the fatted calf, I 
 entered the shop of a Blois watchmaker, who set me to 
 work cleaning and brushing. As I have already said, this 
 mechanical and wearisome task reduces the journeyman 
 watchmaker to the level of an automaton. Each day was 
 spent in the same monotonous round, here a spring to 
 repair, there a pin to replace (for cylinder watches were
 
 138 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 rare at that period,) a chain to refasten ; lastly, after a 
 cursory examination of the works, a turn of the brush to 
 makj all bright again. I am far from wishing to run 
 down the trade of a repairing watchmaker, and I can 
 always honor the skill employed in repairing a watch by 
 doing as little as possible. 
 
 Sometimes, it may be remarked, a watch comes back 
 from the mender's in as bad a state as when it went. It 
 is true, but with whom is the fault ? In my belief, with 
 the public. In the country, more especially, it is impossi- 
 ble to perform repairs conscientiously, for the public bar- 
 gain about their watch or clock as they would do in buying 
 vegetables. The consequence is, the watchmaker is forced 
 to compound with his conscience, and the customer loses 
 his money. 
 
 One thing is certain : I did not like the trade, and I 
 was growing atrociously idle. But if I were cold and in- 
 dolent as regarded watch repairing, I felt a devouring 
 need for activity in some other department. To satisfy 
 this, I gave myself up entirely to an amusement which 
 delighted me I became an amateur actor. 
 
 No one, I fancy, can blame me for this ; for, among 
 those who read my confessions, I am sure there is hardly 
 one who has not performed in some shape. From the boy 
 who recites a speech at the school distribution of prizes, 
 up to the old gentleman who often accepts the part of 
 " heavy father " at one of those agreeable parties arranged 
 on long winter evenings, not one but enjoys the sweet 
 satisfaction of being applauded. I, too, had this weak- 
 ness ; and, urged on by my travelling recollections, I 
 wished to appear once more before the public, who had 
 already treated me so kindly. 
 
 Some young friends joined me in forming a light comedy
 
 ARGUMENTS AGAINST MARRIAGE. 139 
 
 company, and I had the pleasure of performing all Perlet's 
 parts in the most fashionable pieces of the day. Our per- 
 formance was gratis : hence, I need not say we had 
 crowded audiences. Of course, too, we wore all wonder- 
 ful actors at least, people told us so and our gratified 
 self-love found no cause for refusing their praise. 
 
 Unfortunately for our brilliant success, rivalry and 
 wounded feelings, as so frequently happens, produced 
 discord among us, and at last only the hair-dresser and 
 candle-snuffer were left of our goodly company. These 
 two faithful followers, finding themselves thus abandoned, 
 held a council, and, after mature deliberation, decided that 
 they would accept each other's resignation, as they could 
 not perform alone. In order to explain the heroic per- 
 sistency of these two artistes, I may as well state they 
 were the only persons paid for their services. 
 
 My father regretted to see me leave work for pleasure, 
 and, in order to bring me back to healthy ideas, he formed 
 a plan which must have the double advantage of improv- 
 ing my conduct, and tying me down to his side : in short, 
 he meant to establish me in business, and make me marry. 
 
 I do not know or, rather, I will not say why I de- 
 clined the latter proposal, under the pretext that I felt no 
 inclination for marriage. As for my beginning business, I 
 easily made my father understand that I was too young 
 even to dream of it. But I had hardly intimated my re- 
 fusal^ when a very simple circumstance entirely changed 
 my views, and made me forget all my oaths of fidelity to 
 a certain party. 
 
 The success my acting had met with procured me ad- 
 mission to certain salons, where I often spent an agreeable 
 evening ; for acting went on here, too, in the shape of 
 charades.
 
 140 MEMOIRS OF HOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 One evening, we were requested, as usual, to enliven 
 the visitors by one of our proverbs. I do not remember 
 the word proposed ; I only know I was chosen to fill the 
 part of a bachelor gourmet. I sat down to table, and 
 while indulging in a meal like those usually served up at 
 a theatre, I improvised a warm defence of celibacy. This 
 apology was all the more easy to me, as I needed only to 
 repeat the fine arguments I had employed to my father 
 about his double proposition. Now, it happened that, 
 among the persons listening to this description of the 
 blessings of celibacy, was a young lady of seventeen, who 
 inclined a serious ear to my arguments against marriage. 
 It was the first time I had met her ; so I could not ascribe 
 any other reason for her fixed attention than her desire to 
 detect the word. 
 
 A man is always delighted to find an attentive listener, 
 more especially when it is a pretty young girl : hence, I 
 thought it my bounden duty to make some polite remarks 
 to her during the course of the evening. A conversation 
 ensued, and became so interesting, that we had a great 
 deal still to say to each other when the hour came for 
 separation, and I believe the regret at parting was not felt 
 by myself alone. 
 
 This simple event was, however, the cause of my mar- 
 riage with Mademoiselle Houdin, and this marriage took 
 me to Paris. The reader will now understand why my 
 name is Robert-Houdin ; but I have also to add that this 
 double name, which ,1 at first assumed to distinguish me 
 from my numerous homonymes, eventually became my 
 patronymic, by a decision of the council of state. I may 
 be pardoned for remarking that this favor, always so 
 difficult to obtain, was granted me in consideration of the 
 popularity my long and laborious toil had gained me while 
 using that name.
 
 I MARRY AND GO TO PARIS. 141 
 
 My father in-law, M. Houdin, a celebrated watchmaker, 
 was a native of Blois, and had gone to Paris, as a better 
 field for his talents. He was now engaged in the whole- 
 sale clock trade, while making, with his own hands, astro- 
 nomical clocks, chronometers, and regulators. It was 
 agreed that we should live together, and that I should help 
 him in his business. 
 
 M. Houdin was quite as fond as myself of everything 
 appertaining to mechanism, and was thoroughly versed in 
 the subject. Hence, we had long and interesting conver- 
 sations on the topic, and at the end of one of these I con- 
 fided to him my scheme of setting up a room for the dis- 
 play of mechanical toys and sleight-of-hand tricks. M. 
 Houdin understood me, adopted my plans, and urged me 
 to carry on my studies in the path I had chosen. Proud 
 of the approbation of a man with whose extreme prudence 
 I was acquainted, I gave myself up seriously, during my 
 leisure hours, to my favorite exercises, and began by con- 
 triving some instruments for my future cabinet. 
 
 My first care, on arriving at Paris, was to attend a per- 
 formance of Comte's, who had long lorded it in his theatre 
 at the Gallery Choiseul. This celebrated professor was 
 now resting on his laurels, and only performed once a 
 week. The other evenings were devoted to the perform- 
 ances of his young actors, who were perfect prodigies. 
 
 Many of my readers will remember his bills, with their 
 singular announcement of the principal parts performed 
 by M. ARTHUR, aged 5 ; MADEMOISELLE ADELINA, aged 
 4J ; MADEMOISELLE VICTORINE, aged 7 ; little VICTOR, 
 aged 6. These baby actors attracted the whole of Paris. 
 
 Comte might have left the stage entirely, and contented 
 himsely with being manager and dry-nurse to these child- 
 ren of Thalia, for he possessed a very comfortable fortune ;
 
 142 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 but he made it a point to appear at least once a week, 
 from a double motive : his performances, owing to their 
 rarity, always exercised a beneficial effect on the receipts ; 
 and, on the other hand, by continuing to act he prevented 
 other professors of conjuring setting up in opposition to 
 him, 
 
 Comte's tricks were all drawn from the same repertory 
 I knew by heart ; hence they had no great interest for me ; 
 still I derived some profit from attending his perform- 
 ances, for I was enabled to study the audience. 
 
 I listened attentively to all said around me, and often 
 heard very judicious remarks. These being generally 
 made by persons not apparently gifted with great penetra- 
 tion, led me to the conclusion that the conjurer ought to 
 distrust plain mother wit, and I worked out the problem 
 to my own satisfaction : " that it is easier to dupe a clever 
 man than an ignorant one." 
 
 This seems to be a paradox ; but I will explain it. 
 
 The ordinary man only sees in conjuring tricks a chal- 
 lenge offered to his intelligence, and hence representations 
 of sleight-of-hand become to him a combat in which he de- 
 termines on conquering. Ever on his guard against the 
 honeyed words by means of which the illusion is produced, 
 he hears nothing, and shuts himself up in this inflexible 
 reasoning : 
 
 " The conjurer," he says, " holds in his hand an object, 
 which he pretends he makes disappear. Well, whatever 
 he may say to distract my attention, my eyes shall not 
 leave his hand, and the trick cannot be done without my 
 finding out how he manages it." 
 
 It follows that the conjurer, whose artifices are princi- 
 pally directed to the mind, must double his address to de- 
 lude this obstinate resistance.
 
 COMTE AND HIS TRICKS. 143 
 
 The clever man, on the contrary, when he visits a con- 
 juring performance, only goes to enjoy the illusions, and, 
 far from offering the performer the slightest obstacle, he 
 is the first to aid him. The more he is deceived the more 
 he is pleased, for that is what he paid for. He knows, 
 too, that these amusing deceptions cannot injure his repu- 
 tation as an intelligent man, and hence he yields to the 
 professor's arguments, follows them through all their de- 
 velopments, and allows himself to be easily put off the 
 right scent. 
 
 Is not my problem proved ? 
 
 Comte was also an object of interesting study to me, 
 both as manager and as artist. As manager, Comte could 
 have challenged the most skillful to a comparison, and he 
 was a famous hand at bringing grist to his mill. The 
 little schemes a manager employs to attract the public and 
 increase his receipts are tolerably well known ; but Comte, 
 for a long time, did not require to have recourse to them, 
 as his room was always crowded. At length the day 
 arrived when the benches allowed some elbow room ; then 
 he invented his " family tickets," his "medals," his "re- 
 served boxes for the prize-holders at schools and colleges," 
 &c., &c. 
 
 The family tickets gave admission to four persons at 
 half price. Though all Paris was inundated with them, 
 every one into whose hands one of these tickets came be- 
 lieved himself specially favored by Comte, and none failed 
 to respond to his appeal. What the manager lost in 
 quality he amply regained in quantity. 
 
 But Comte did not stop here ; he also wished that his 
 rose-colored tickets (the name he gave his family tickets) 
 should bring him a small pecuniary profit, as compensation 
 for reduced prices. He therefore offered each person who
 
 144 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 presented one of these tickets a copper medal, on which 
 his name was engraved, and asked in exchange the sum 
 of one penny. Suppose the ticket-holder declined, he was 
 not admitted, and when matters came to that pass, people 
 always paid. 
 
 It may be said that a penny was a trifle ; but with this 
 trifle Comte paid for his lights ; at least he said so, and 
 he may be believed. 
 
 During the holidays the pink tickets disappeared, and 
 made room for those reserved for the school prize boys, 
 which were far more productive than the others, for what 
 parents could deny their sons the acceptance of M. Comte's 
 invitation, when they could promise themselves the ex- 
 treme pleasure of seeing their beloved boys in a box ex- 
 clusively occupied by crowned heads? The parents, con- 
 sequently, accompanied their children, and for a gratis 
 ticket the manager netted six or seven fold the value of 
 his graceful liberality. 
 
 I could mention many other ways Comte augmented his 
 receipts by. but I will only allude to one more. 
 
 If you arrived a little late, and the length of the queue 
 made you fear the places would be all taken, you had only 
 to enter a small cafe* adjoining the theatre, and opening 
 into the Rue Ventadour. You paid a trifle more for your 
 cup of coffee or your glass of liqueur, but you were quite 
 sure that before the public were admitted the waiter would 
 open a secret door, allowing you to reach the paying-place 
 in comfort and choose your seat. In fact, Comte's cafe" 
 was a true box-office, except that the spectator received 
 something in return for the sum usually charged for re- 
 serving seats. 
 
 As artist, Comte possessed the double talent of ventri- 
 loquism and sleight-of-hand. His tricks were performed
 
 PLEASING THE LADIES. 145 
 
 skillfully and with a good share of dash, while his perform- 
 ances generally pleased, for the ladies were treated most 
 gallantly. My readers may judge for themselves from 
 the following trick, which I believe was his own invention, 
 and which always pleased me when I saw it. 
 
 This experiment was called " The Birth of the Flowers," 
 and it began with a short address in the shape of agreea- 
 ble pleasantry. 
 
 " Ladies," the professor said, " I propose on the present 
 occasion to make twelve of you disappear from the pit, 
 twenty from the first circle, and seventy-two from the 
 second." 
 
 After the burst of laughter this pleasantry always pro- 
 duced, Comte added : " Reassure yourselves, gentlemen ; 
 in order not to deprive you of the most graceful ornament 
 of this room, I will not perform this experiment till the 
 end of the evening," This compliment, spoken very mo- 
 destly, was always excellently received. 
 
 Comte proceeded to perform the trick in this way : 
 
 After sowing seeds in some earth contained in a small 
 cup, he spread over this earth some burning, liquid and 
 covered it with a bell, which, as he said, was intended to 
 concentrate the heat and stimulate vegetation. In fact, a 
 few seconds later, a boquet of varied flowers appeared in 
 the cup. Comte distributed them among the ladies who 
 graced the boxes, and during this distribution contrived 
 to "plant" the following graceful remarks: "Madam, I 
 keep a pansy (pensSe) for you. It will be my care, gen- 
 tlemen, that you find no cares (soucis) here. Mademoi- 
 selle, here is a rose which you have forced to blush with 
 jealousy." 
 
 Before long the little bouquet was exhausted, but sud- 
 denly the conjurer's hands were liberally filled with flowers. 
 
 K
 
 146 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Then with an air of triumph, he exclaimed, displaying the 
 flowers which had come as if by enchantment : 
 
 " I promised to metamorphose all these ladies : could I 
 choose a form more graceful and pleasing? In metam- 
 orphosing you all into roses, I am only offering a copy for 
 the original. Tell me, gentlemen, have I not succeeded?" 
 
 These gallant words were always greeted by a salvo of 
 applause. 
 
 On another occassion, Comte, while offering a rose and 
 a pansy to a lady, said : " I find you here, madam, exactly 
 depicted. The rose represents your freshness and beauty ; 
 the pansy your wit and talent." 
 
 He also said, in allusion to the ace of hearts, which he had 
 " passed " on one of the most beautiful women in the room : 
 " Will you be kind enough, madam, to lay your hand on 
 your heart ? You have only one heart I presume ? Par- 
 don my indiscreet question, but it was necessary; for, 
 though you have only one heart, you might possess them all. " 
 
 Comte was equally gallant towards sovereigns. 
 
 At the end of a performance he gave at the Tuilleries, 
 before Louis XVIII., he invited his majesty to select a 
 card from the pack. It may be that chance led the king to 
 draw his majesty of hearts ; it may be, though, that the 
 conjurer's address produced this result. During this time, 
 a servant placed on an isolated table a vase filled with 
 flowers. 
 
 Comte next took a pistol loaded with powder, in which 
 he inserted the king of hearts as a wad ; then, turning to 
 his august spectator, he begged him to fix his eye on the 
 vase, as the card would appear just over it. The pistol 
 was fired, and the bust of Louis XVIII. appeared among 
 the flowers. 
 
 The King, not knowing how to explain this unexpected
 
 THE KING OF HEARTS. 147 
 
 result, asked Comte the meaning of this strange appari- 
 tion, adding, in a slightly sarcastic tone, 
 
 "I fancy, sir, that your trick has not ended as you 
 stated." 
 
 "I beg your majesty's pardon," Comte replied, assum- 
 ing the manner of a courtier; "I have quite kept my 
 promise. I pledged myself that the king of hearts should 
 appear on that vase, and I appeal to all Frenchmen 
 whether that bust does not represent the King of all 
 hearts?" 
 
 It may be easily supposed that this trick was heartily 
 applauded by the audience. In fact, the the Royal Journal 
 of the 20th December, 1814, thus describes the end of the 
 performance : 
 
 " The whole audience exclaimed, in reply M. Comte, 
 'We recognise him it is he the king of all hearts ! 
 the beloved of the French of the whole universe Louis 
 XVIII., the august grandson of Henri Quatre?' 
 
 " The King, much affected by these warm acclamations, 
 complimented M. Comte on his skill. 
 
 " 'It would be a pity,' he said to him, l to order such a 
 talened sorcerer to be burnt alive. You have caused us 
 too much pleasure for us to cause you pain. Live many 
 years for yourself, in the first place, and then for us.' ' 
 
 But though Comte was so amiable to the ladies, he was 
 pitiless to gentlemen. It would be a long story were I to 
 describe all the spiteful allusions and mystifications to which 
 his masculine spectators were exposed. For instance, there 
 was his ace of heart's trick, which he ended by producing 
 aces from every part of his victim's body, who knew not 
 what saint to implore in order to stop this avalanche of 
 cards. Then, again, there was the ball-headed gentlemen 
 who had politely lent his hat, and received a volley of com- 
 pliments of the following nature :
 
 148 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 "This article must belong to you," said Comte, drawing 
 a wig from the hat. "Aha, sir! it appears you are a 
 family man. Here are socks then a bib a chemise 
 a charming little frock," and as the public laughed heartily, 
 "on my faith, a goody-two-shoes!" he added producing a 
 pair of shoes. " Nothing is wanting for the dress not even 
 the stays and their laces. I suppose, sir, you thought you 
 could stay my tongue when you placed that article in your 
 hat." 
 
 Ventriloquism added a great charm to Comte's perform- 
 ances, as it gave rise to numerous little scenes that pro- 
 duced a striking effect. This faculty too often suggested 
 to him curious mystifications, the best of them (if such a 
 thing can ever be good) being reserved for his travels, 
 when they served as a puff of his performances, and helped 
 to attract crowds. 
 
 At Tours, for instance, he induced the people to break 
 in four doors, in order to rescue an unhappy man supposed 
 to be dying of hunger. At Nevers he renewed the mira- 
 cle of Balaam's ass, by causing a donkey that was weary 
 of its master's weight, to lift up its voice in complaint. 
 One night, too, he caused a profound consternation in a 
 diligence, for a dozen brigands were heard at the doors 
 shouting, "Money, or your life!" The terrified passen- 
 gers hastened to hand their purses and watches to Comte, 
 who offered to treat with the robbers, and they retired 
 apparently satisfied with their spoil. The passengers 
 were glad to have escaped so cheaply, and the next 
 morning, to their still greater satisfaction, the ventriloquist 
 returned them the tribute they had paid to their fears, 
 and explained to them the talent by which they had 
 been duped. 
 
 Another time, at Macon fair, he saw a country-woman
 
 A PIG BEWITCHED." 149 
 
 driving a pig before her, which could hardly move, so laden 
 was it with fat. 
 
 " What's the price of your pig, my good woman ?" 
 
 " A hundred francs, my good looking gentleman, at your 
 service, if you wish to buy." 
 
 " Of course I wish to buy ; but it is a great deal too 
 much: I can offer you ten crowns." 
 
 " I want one hundred francs, no more and no less : take 
 it or leave it." 
 
 "Stay," Comte said, approaching the animal; "I am 
 sure your pig is more reasonable than you. Tell, me on 
 your conscience, my fine fellow, are you worth one hundred 
 francs?" 
 
 "You are a long way out," the pig replied, in a hoarse 
 and hollow voice ; "I'm not worth one hundred pence. I 
 am meazled, and my mistress is trying to take you in." 
 
 The crowd that had assembled round the woman and pig 
 fell back in terror, fancying them both bewitched, while 
 Comte returned to his hotel, where the story was told him 
 with sundry additions, and he learned that some courageous 
 persons had gone up to the woman, begged her to be exor- 
 cised, and thus drive the unclean spirit out of the pig. 
 
 Still, Comte did not always escape so easily; and ho 
 almost paid dearly for a trick he played on some peasants 
 at Fribourg, in Switzerland. These fanatics took him for 
 a real sorcerer, and attacked with sticks ; and they were 
 even going to throw him into a lime-kiln, had not Comte 
 escaped by causing a terrible voice to issue from the kiln, 
 which routed them. 
 
 I will end my account of these amusing adventures with 
 a little anecdote, in which Comte and myself were in turn 
 mystifier and mystified. 
 
 The celebrated ventriloquist paid me a visit at the
 
 150 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Palais Royal, and I accompanied him to the foot of the 
 stairs on his departure. Comte walked down before me, still 
 talking, so that the pockets of his coat were at my mercy. 
 The opportunity was too good to neglect the chance of 
 playing a trick on my talented confrere, so I filched his 
 handkerchief and a handsome gold snuff-box : and I took 
 care to turn the pocket inside out, as a proof that my per- 
 formance had been properly executed. 
 
 I was laughing at the comic result my trick must have 
 when I returned Comte his property ; but it was " diamond 
 cut diamond:" for, while I was thus violating the laws of 
 hospitality, Comte was scheming against me. I had 
 scarce concealed the handkerchief and box, when I heard 
 a strange voice on the first floor landing. 
 
 " Monsieur Robert-Houdin, will you be kind enough to 
 step up to the box-office: I wish to speak to you." 
 
 My readers will guess that the ventriloquist had played 
 me a trick ; indeed, on reaching the office, I only found 
 the clerk, who could not understand what I was talking 
 about. I perceived, too late that I was victimised, and I 
 heard Comte celebrating his victory by shouts of laughter. 
 For a moment, I confess I felt vexed at having been taken 
 in, but I soon regained my equanimity on thinking I 
 might have the best of it yet. So I went down stairs very 
 calmly. 
 
 "What did that person want ?" Comte asked, with ill- 
 repressed delight. 
 
 " Can't you guess ?" 
 
 "I? no." 
 
 " It was a penitent thief, who begged me to return you 
 the articles he had filched from you. Here they are, my 
 master !" 
 
 " I prefer it to end so !" Comte said, returning his
 
 DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND. 151 
 
 pocket to its place. " We are now quits, and I hope we 
 shall always be good friends." 
 
 from all the preceding remarks it may be concluded 
 that the fundamental principles of Comte's performances 
 were mystifying gentlemen (sovereigns excepted), compli- 
 menting ladies, and jesting with everybody. Comte was 
 right in employing these means, as he generally gained 
 his object; for he delighted and raised a laugh. At this 
 period French manners justified such behavior, and the 
 professor, by flattering the taste and instincts of the 
 public, was sure to please. 
 
 There has been a great change since, and puns are no 
 longer held in such esteem ; banished from good society, 
 they have sought refuge in studios, when the pupils too 
 often make an immoderate use of them, and though they 
 may be permitted now and then among intimate friends, 
 they are not proper in a performance of sleight-of-hand. 
 The reason is very simple : not only do puns raise a belief 
 that the artist fancies himself a wit, which may be injuri- 
 ous to him, but, if he succeed in raising a laugh, it weakens 
 the interest felt in his experiments. 
 
 It is a recognised fact that, in those performances where 
 imagination plays the chief part, " astonishment is a hun- 
 dred-fold better than a silly laugh;" for, though the mind 
 may remember what has delighted it, laughter leaves no 
 trace on the memory. 
 
 Symbolical or complimentary language is also com- 
 pletely out of fashion, at least the age does not err in 
 excess of gallantry, and " musky " compliments would be 
 badly received in public. I have always thought, too, 
 that ladies visit a performance like mine in order to re- 
 fresh their minds, and not to be put in evidence them- 
 selves. They possibly prefer to remain simple lookers-on 
 rather than expose themselves to florid compliments.
 
 152 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 As for mystification, a more powerful pen than mine 
 must undertake its apology. 
 
 In saying this, I have no wish to cast censure on Comte. 
 I am writing at this moment in accordance with the spirit 
 of my age ; Comte acted in accordance with his ; we both 
 succeeded, though differing in our treatment, and this only 
 proves that " all styles are good except that which is 
 wearisome." 
 
 These performances of Comte's, however, inflamed my 
 imagination ; I only dreamed of theatres, conjuring, me- 
 chanism, automata, &c. ; I was impatient to take my place 
 among the adepts of magic, and make myself a name in 
 the marvellous art. The time I required in forming a 
 determination seemed to me so much stolen from my future 
 success. My success ! I did not know what trials I 
 should undergo ere I merited it. I had no suspicion of 
 the toil, the care, and trouble which I should have to pay 
 for it. 
 
 Still, I resolved on continuing my studies of automata 
 and instruments suited to produce magical illusions. 
 Though I had seen many of them while with Torrini, I 
 had many more to learn, for the stock of conjuring tricks 
 in those days was enormous. Fortunately I found an 
 opportunity of materially abridging my studies. 
 
 I had noticed, while passing along the Rue Richelieu, 
 a modest little shop, in front of which conjuring apparatus 
 was exposed for sale. This was a piece of good luck, so 
 I bought some of the things, and while paying repeated 
 visits to the master of the shop, under pretext of asking 
 information, I got into his good graces, and he grew to 
 look on me as a friend. 
 
 Father Roujol (such was his name) was perfectly ac- 
 quainted with his trade, and he held the confidence of
 
 FATHER ROUJOL. 153 
 
 every conjurer of note ; hence, he could give me much 
 valuable information, so I became more polite than ever, 
 and the worthy man soon initiated me into all his mys- 
 teries. But my repeated visits to the shop had another 
 object as well, for I wished to meet some of the masters 
 of the art who could increase my knowledge. 
 
 Unfortunately, my old friend's shop was not so visited 
 as before. The revolution of 1830 had turned persons' 
 ideas to more serious matters than "physical amuse- 
 ments," and the greater number of conjurers had wan- 
 dered into strange countries. Old Roujol's good times 
 had, therefore, passed away, which rendered him very 
 gloomy. 
 
 "Things are not as they used to be," he would say, 
 " and it might really be fancied the jugglers had juggled 
 themselves away, for I don't see a single one. Will the 
 
 time ever return," he added, "when the Due de M 
 
 did not disdain to visit my humble shop, and remain here 
 for hours talking to me and my numerous visitors. Ah, 
 that was a time ! when all the first conjurers and ama- 
 teurs formed a brilliant club here ; for each of these 
 masters, desirous of proving his superiority over the 
 others, showed his best tricks and his utmost skill." 
 
 I felt the old gentleman's regret equally with himself, for 
 I should have revelled in such society, as I would have walk- 
 ed any time twenty leagues for the sake of talking with a 
 professor. Still, I had the luck to form here the acquain- 
 tance of Jules de Rove're, the first to employ a title now 
 generally given to fashionable conjurers. Being of noble 
 birth, he desired a title in accordance with it ; but, as he 
 had rejected with disdain the vulgar name of eseamoteur, 
 and as, too, that of pliysicien was frequently used by hia 
 rivals, he was compelled to create a title for himself.
 
 154 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-IIOUDIN. 
 
 One day the pompous title of " PRESTIDIGITATEUR " 
 was visible on an enormous poster, which also conde- 
 scended to supply the derivation of this breath-stopping 
 word, presto digiti (activity of the fingers). Then came 
 the details of the performance, intermingled with Latin 
 quotations, which must attract the attention of the public 
 by evidencing the learning of the conjurer I beg pardon, 
 prestidigitator. 
 
 This word, as well as prestidigitation, due to the same 
 author, were soon seized upon by Jules de Rov^re's rivals, 
 who liked a good mouthful too. The Academy itself fol- 
 lowed this example by sanctioning the formation of the 
 word, and thus handing it down to posterity. I am bound 
 to add, though, that this word, originally so pompous, is 
 no longer a distinction, for, as the most humble jugglers 
 were at liberty to appreciate it, it follows that conjuring 
 and prestidigitation have become synonymous. The con- 
 jurer who requires a title should seek it in his own merit, 
 and recognise the sound truth that " it is better for a man 
 to honor his profession than to be honored by it." For my 
 own part, I never made any distinction between the two 
 names, and I shall employ them indiscriminately, until 
 some new Jules de Rov^re arrive to enrich the Dictionary 
 of the French Academy.
 
 CELEBRATED AUTOMATA. 155 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Celebrated Automata A Brazen Fly The Artificial Man Albertus 
 Magnus and St. Thomas d'Aquinas Vaucanson His Duck His 
 Flute-Player Curious Details The Automaton Chess-Player In- 
 teresting Episode Catherine II. and M. de Kempelen I repair the 
 Componium Unexpected Success. 
 
 OWING to my persevering researches I had nothing left 
 to learn in conjuring; but, in order to carry out my 
 scheme, I had to study the principles of a science on 
 which I greatly depended for the success of my future 
 performances. I allude to the science, or rather art, of 
 making automata. 
 
 While occupied with this idea I made active investiga- 
 tions ; I applied to the public libraries and their keepers, 
 whom my tenacious importunity drove into despair. But 
 all the information I collected only brought me descrip- 
 tions of mechanical toys, far less ingenious than certain 
 playthings of the present day, or absurd statements of 
 chefs-d'oeuvre published in the dark ages. My readers 
 may judge from the following : 
 
 I found, in a, work bearing the title " Apologie pour les 
 Grands Homines Accuses de Magie," that "Jean de Mont- 
 royal presented to the Emperor Charles V. an iron fly, 
 which made a solemn circuit round its inventor's head, and 
 then reposed from its fatigue on his arm." Such a fly is 
 rather extraordinary, yet I have something better to tell 
 my readers still about a fly.
 
 15G MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Gervais, Chancellor to the Emperor Otho III., in hia 
 book entitled " Otia Imperatoris," informs us that "the 
 sage Virgilius, Bishop of Naples, made a brass fly, which 
 he placed on one of the city gates, and that this mechani- 
 cal fly, trained like a shepherd's dog, prevented any other 
 fly entering Naples ; so much so, that during eight years 
 the meat exposed for sale in the market was never once 
 tainted." 
 
 How much should we regret that this marvellous auto- 
 maton has not survived to our day ? How the butchers, 
 and still more their customers, would thank the learned 
 bishop ! Pass we to another marvel : 
 
 Francis Picus relates that "Roger Bacon, aided by 
 Thomas Bungey, his brother in religion, after having ren- 
 dered their bodies equal and tempered by chemistry, em- 
 ployed the Speculum Amuchesi to construct a brazen head 
 which should tell them if there were any mode of enclosing 
 the whole of England by a high wall. They forged at it 
 for seven years without relaxation, but misfortune willed 
 it that when the head spoke the two monks did not hear 
 it, as they were engaged on something else." 
 
 I have asked myself a hundred times how the two intre- 
 pid blacksmiths knew the head had spoken, when they 
 were not present to hear it. I never discovered any other 
 solution than this : it was, doubtlessly, because their bodies 
 were equalized and tempered by chemistry. 
 
 But here is a far more astounding marvel. 
 
 Tostat, in his " Commentaires sur 1'Enode," states that 
 " Albertus Magnus* Provincial of the Dominicans, at Co- 
 logne, constructed a brass man, which he worked at con- 
 tinually for thirty years. This work was performed under 
 various constellations and according to the laws of perspec- 
 tive."
 
 VAUCANSON. 157 
 
 When the sun was in the sign of the Zodiac the eyes of 
 this automaton melted metals, on which the characters of 
 the same sign were traced. This intelligent machine was 
 equally gifted with motion and speech, and it revealed to 
 Albertus Magnus some of his most important secrets. 
 Unfortunately, St. Thomas Aquinas, Albertus's pupil, 
 taking this statue for the handiwork of the devil, smashed 
 it with a big stick. 
 
 As a finale to these fables, which are well fitted to figure 
 among the marvels performed by Perrault's fairies, I will 
 quote from page 252 of the "Journal des Savants" for 
 1677 : " The artificial man of Reysolius, a statue so re- 
 sembling the human form, that, with the exception of the 
 operations of the soul, everything that takes place in the 
 body may be witnessed." 
 
 What a pity the mechanician stopped so soon ! for it 
 would have cost him so little, while making so exquisite a 
 resemblance to the fairest work of the Creator, to add to 
 his automaton a soul moving by clockwork ! 
 
 This quotation does much honor to the savants who ac- 
 cepted the responsibility of such a statement, and is a fur- 
 ther proof how history is written. 
 
 It may be easily supposed these works furnished me no 
 guide to the art I so much wished to study ; and although 
 I continued my inquiries, I only attained the unsatisfac- 
 tory result that nothing serious had been written on the 
 subject of automata. 
 
 "What!" I said to myself, "can it be possible that the 
 marvellous science which raised Vaucanson's name so high 
 the science whose ingenious combinations can animate 
 inert matter, and impart to it a species of existence is 
 the only one without its archives?" 
 
 When about to give up the subject in despair, I stumbled
 
 158 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 on a memoir of the inventor of the "Automaton Duck." 
 This memoir, bearing date 1738, is addressed by the au- 
 thor to the members of the Academy of Sciences. In it 
 will he found a learned description of his flute-player, as 
 well as a report of the Academy, which I here transcribe. 
 
 Extract from the Registers of the Royal Academy of 
 
 Sciences for April 30, 1738 : 
 
 " The Academy, after hearing M. de Vaucanson's me- 
 moir read, containing a description of a wooden statue, 
 copied from Coysvoix's marble fawn, which plays twelve 
 different airs on a German flute with a precision deserving 
 of public attention, was of opinion that this machine was 
 extremely ingenious ; that the inventor had employed 
 novel and simple means both to give the fingers the neces- 
 sary motion and to modify the wind entering the flute, by 
 augmenting or diminishing its velocity, according to the 
 various tones ; by varying the arrangement of the lips, 
 and setting a valve in motion to perform the functions of 
 the tongue ; lastly, by artificially imitating all that a man 
 is obliged to do ; and that, in addition, M. de Vaucanson's 
 memoir possessed all the clearness and perception such 
 matter is capable of, proving the intelligence of the author, 
 and his great knowledge of the different branches of me- 
 chanism. In confirmation of which I have signed the pre- 
 sent certificate. FONTENELLE, 
 
 " Perpetual Secretary, Royal Academy of Sciences. 
 
 "Paris, May 3, 1738." 
 
 After this report comes a letter of Vaucanson's, ad- 
 dressed to the Abbe' D. F., in which he informs him of his 
 intention of presenting to the public on Easter Monday
 
 I THE AUTOMATON DUCK. 159 
 
 1. A player of the German flute. 
 
 2. A player of the tambourine. 
 
 3. An artificial duck. 
 
 "In this duck," the celebrated automatist writes, "will 
 be noticed the mechanism of the viscera, intended to per- 
 form the functions of eating, drinking and digesting. The 
 action of all the parts is exactly imitated. The bird puts 
 out its head to take up the seed, swallows it, digests it, 
 and evacuates it by the ordinary channels. 
 
 "All thoughtful persons will understand the difficulty 
 of making my automaton perform so many different move- 
 ments, as when it stands on its legs and moves its head to 
 the right and left. They will also see that this animal 
 drinks, dabbles with its bill, quacks like the living duck, 
 and, in short, is precisely similar in every respect." 
 
 I was the more surprised at the contents of the memoir, 
 as it was the first trustworthy information I had gained 
 about automata. The description of the flute player gave 
 me a high opinion of the inventor's talent ; but I much 
 regretted finding so short an account of the mechanical 
 combinations of the duck. 
 
 For a time, I contented myself with admiring and be- 
 lieving in the great master's work, but, in 1844, Vaucan- 
 son's duck was exhibited in a room at the Palais Royal.* 
 Of course I was one of the first to visit it, and was much 
 struck by its skillful and learned formation. Some time 
 after, one of the wings having been injured, the duck was 
 sent to me to repair, and I was initiated into the famous 
 mystery of digestion. To my great surprise, I found that 
 
 * After Vaucanson's death, his works were dispersed and lost, with 
 the exception of the duck, which, after remaining for a long time in a 
 garret at Berlin, saw light again in 1840, and was purchased by a M. 
 George Tiets, who spent four years in repairing it.
 
 1GO MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 the illustrious master had not disdained to have recourse 
 to a trick which a conjurer would have been proud of. 
 The digestion, so pompously announced in the memoir, 
 was only a mystification a real canard, in fact. De- 
 cidedly, Vaucanson was not only my master in mechanism, 
 but I must bow before his genius for juggling. 
 
 The trick was as simple as it was interesting. A vase, 
 containing seed steeped in water, was placed before the 
 bird. The motion of the bill in dabbling crushed the food, 
 and facilitated its introduction into a pipe placed beneath 
 the lower bill. The water and seed thus swallowed fell 
 into a box placed under the bird's stomach, which was 
 emptied every three or four days. The other part of the 
 operation was thus effected : Bread-crumb, colored green, 
 was expelled by a forcing pump, and carefully caught on 
 a silver salver as the result of artificial digestion. This 
 was handed round to be admired, while the ingenious 
 trickster laughed in his sleeve at the credulity of the 
 public. But, before leaving this subject, I must give a 
 short biographical notice of this illustrious man. 
 
 Jacques de Vaucanson was born at Grenoble on the 
 24th February, 1709, of a noble family, and his taste for 
 mechanism was developed at an early age. In 1730, the 
 flute-player at the Tuilleries suggested to him the idea of 
 constructing on this model an automaton which should 
 really play the flute, and he spent four years in perfecting 
 it. The story runs that Vaucanson's valet was the only 
 person acquainted with his secret, and at the first notes 
 produced by the flute-player, the faithful servant fell at 
 his master's feet, as if he were more than mortal, and they 
 embraced with tears of joy. 
 
 The duck and tambourine-player soon followed, and 
 were chiefly intended to speculate on public curiosity.
 
 THE ENDLESS CHAIN. 161 
 
 Though noble by birth, Vaucanson exhibited his automata 
 at the fair of Saint Germain and at Paris, where his re- 
 ceipts were enormous. He is also said to have invented a 
 loom on which a donkey worked cloth ; this he made in 
 revenge upon the silk-weavers of Lyons, who had stoned 
 him because he attempted to simplify the ordinary loom. 
 We also owe to Vaucanson a chain that still bears his 
 name, and a machine to make meshes of equal size. 
 
 It is also said he invented for the performance of Mar- 
 montel's Cleopatra, an asp which fastened itself with a 
 hiss on the bosom of the actress who played the principal 
 character. On the first performance of the tragedy, a 
 jester, more struck by the hissing of the automaton than 
 by the beauty of the tragedy, exclaimed, " I am of the 
 asp's opinion !" 
 
 This illustrious mechanician retained all his activity to 
 the last moment of his life. While dangerously ill, he 
 devoted himself to his machine for making his endless 
 chain. 
 
 "Do not lose a minute," he said to his workmen; "I 
 fear I may not live long enough to explain my idea thor- 
 oughly." 
 
 Eight days later, on the 21st of November, 1782, he 
 died, at the age of seventy-three ; but, before leaving this 
 world, he had the consolation of seeing his machine at 
 work. 
 
 One piece of good luck never arrives without another ; 
 thus, in 1844, 1 also saw at the house of a mechanician of 
 the name of Cronier, at Belleville, the famous chess-player, 
 who defeated the whole chess world. I never saw it at 
 work, but since then I have received some information 
 about the automaton of a certain degree of interest, and I 
 trust my readers will feel the same surprise as I did when 
 I heard it. L
 
 162 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 My story commences in Russia : the first division of 
 Poland in 1792 had produced a certain fermentation, the 
 effects of which were felt some years later. In 1796, a 
 revolt broke out in a half-Russian, half-Polish regiment 
 stationed at Riga, at the head of the rebels being an offiper 
 of the name of Worousky, a man of great talent and 
 energy. He was of short stature, but well built ; and he 
 exercised such influence, that the troops sent to suppress 
 the revolt were beaten back with considerable loss. How- 
 ever, reinforcements came from St. Petersburg, and the 
 insurgents were defeated in a pitched battle. A great 
 number perished, and the rest took to flight across the 
 marshes, where the soldiers pursued them, with orders to 
 grant no -quarter. 
 
 In this rout "Worousky had both thighs shattered by a 
 cannon-ball, and fell on the battle-field; however, he 
 escaped from the general massacre by throwing himself 
 into a ditch behind a hedge. At nightfall, Worousky 
 dragged himself along with great difficulty to the adjacent 
 house of a physician of the name of Osloff, whose benevo- 
 lence was well known, and the doctor, moved by his suf- 
 ferings, attended upon, and promised to conceal him. His 
 wound was serious, but the doctor felt confident of curing 
 him, until gangrene set in, and his life could only be saved 
 at the cost of half his body. The amputation was suc- 
 cessful, and Worousky saved. 
 
 During this time, M. de Kempelen, a celebrated Viennese 
 mechanician, came to Russia to pay a visit to M. Osloff, 
 with whom he had been long acquainted. He was travel- 
 ling about to learn foreign languages, the study of which 
 he afterwards displayed in his splendid work on the 
 "Mechanism of Words," published at Vienna in 1791. 
 M. de Kempelen stopped a short time in every country the
 
 THE CHESS-PLAYER. 163 
 
 language of which he desired to learn, and his aptitude 
 was so great- that he acquired it very speedily. 
 
 This visit was the more agreeable to the doctor, as for 
 some time he had been alarmed as to the consequences of 
 the noble action he had performed ; he feared being com- 
 promised if it were found out, and his embarrassment was 
 extreme, for, living alone with an old housekeeper, he had 
 no one to consult or help him. Hence, he told M. de 
 Keuipelen his secret, and begged his aid. Though at first 
 startled by sharing such a secret for he knew that a 
 reward was offered for the insurgent chief, and that the 
 act of humanity he was about to help in might send him 
 to Siberia still, M. de Kempelen, on seeing Worousky's 
 mutilated body, felt moved with compassion, and began 
 contriving some plan to secure his escape. 
 
 Dr. Osloff was a passionate lover of chess, and had 
 played numerous games with his patient during his tardy 
 convalesence ; but Worousky was so strong at the game 
 that the doctor was always defeated. Then Kempelen 
 joined the doctor in trying to defeat the skillful player, 
 but it was of no use ; Worousky was always the conqueror. 
 His superiority gave M. de Kempelen the idea of the fa- 
 mous Automaton Chess-player. In an instant his plan 
 was formed, and he sat to work immediately. The most 
 remarkable circumstance is, that this wonderful chef- 
 d'osuvre, which astonished the whole world, was invented 
 and finished with three months. 
 
 M. de Kempelen was anxious his host should make the 
 first essay of his automaton ; so, he invited him to play a 
 game on the 10th of October, 1796. The automaton rep- 
 resented a Turk of the natural size, wearing the national 
 costume, and seated behind a box of the shape of a chest 
 of drawers. In the middle of the top of the box was a 
 chess-board.
 
 164 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Prior to commencing the game, the artist opened seve- 
 ral doors in the chest, and M. Osloff could see inside a 
 large number of wheels, pulleys, cylinders, springs, &c., 
 occupying the larger part. At the same time, he opened 
 a long drawer, from which he produced the chessmen and 
 a cushion, on which the Turk was to rest his arm. This 
 examination ended, the robe of the automaton was raised, 
 and the interior of the body could also be inspected. 
 
 The doors being then closed, M. de Kempelen wound up 
 one of the wheels with a key he inserted in a hole in the 
 chest ; after which the Turk, with a gentle nod of saluta- 
 tion, placed his hand on one of the pieces, raised it, de- 
 posited it on another square, and laid his arm on the 
 cushion before him. The inventor had stated that, as the 
 automaton could not speak, it would signify check to the 
 king by three nods, and to the queen by two. 
 
 The doctor moved in his turn, and waited patiently till 
 his adversary, whose movements had all the dignity of the 
 Sultan he represented, had moved. The game, though 
 slow at first, soon grew animated, and the doctor found he 
 had to deal with a tremendous opponent ; for, in spite of 
 all his efforts to defeat the figure, his game was growing 
 quite desperate. It is true, though, that for some minutes 
 past, the doctor's attention had appeared to be distracted, 
 and one idea seemed to occupy him. But while hesitating 
 whether he should impart his thoughts to his friend, the 
 figure gave three nods. The game was over. 
 
 "By Jove!" the loser said, with a tinge of vexation, 
 which the sight of the inventor's smiling face soon dis- 
 pelled, " if I were not certain Worousky is at this mo- 
 ment in bed, I should believe I had been playing with 
 him. His head alone is capable of inventing such a 
 checkmate. And besides," said the doctor, looking fixed-
 
 AN INGENIOUS SCHEME. 165 
 
 ly at M. de Kempelen, " can you tell me why your auto- 
 maton plays with the left hand, just like Worousky ?"* 
 
 The mechanician began laughing, and not wishing to 
 prolong this mystification, the prelude to so many others, 
 he confessed to his friend that he had really been playing 
 with Worousky. 
 
 "But where the deuce have you put him, then?" the 
 doctor said, looking round to try and discover his oppo- 
 nent. 
 
 The inventor laughed heartily. 
 
 " Well ! do you not recognize me ?" the Turk exclaimed, 
 holding out his left hand to the doctor in reconciliation, 
 while Kempelen raised the robe, and displayed the poor 
 cripple stowed away in the body of the automaton. 
 
 M. Osloff could no longer keep his countenance, and he 
 joined the othqrs in their laughter. But he was the first 
 to stop, for he wanted an explanation. 
 
 " But how do you manage to render Worousky invisi- 
 ble?" 
 
 M. de Kempelen then explained IIOAV he concealed the 
 living automaton before it entered the Turk's body. 
 
 " See here !" he said, opening the chest, " these wheels, 
 pulleys and cranks occupying a portion of the chest, are 
 only a deception. The frames that support them are 
 hung on hinges, and can be turned back to leave space 
 for the player while you were examining the body of the 
 automaton." 
 
 " When this inspection was ended, and as soon as the 
 robe was allowed to fall, Worousky entered the Turk's 
 body we have just examined, and, while I was showing 
 you the box and the machinery, he was taking his time to 
 
 * The automaton chess-player always used the left hand a defect 
 falsely attributed to the carelessness of the constructor.
 
 166 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 pass his arms and hands into those of the figure. You 
 can understand that, owing to the size of the neck, which 
 is hidden by the broad and enormous collar, he can easily 
 pass his head into this mask, and see the chess-board, I 
 must add, that when I pretend to wind up the machine, it 
 is only to drown the sound of Worousky's movements." 
 
 "Very good, then," the doctor replied, to show he per- 
 fectly understood the plan ; " while I was examining the 
 chest, my confounded Worousky was in the Turk's body, 
 and when the robe was lifted, he had passed into the chest. 
 I frankly allow," M. Osloff added, " that I was done by 
 this ingenious arrangement; but I console myself with 
 the idea that cleverer persons than I will be deceived." 
 
 The three friends were the more delighted by the result 
 of this private rehearsal, as this instrument furnished an 
 excellent means of escape for the poor prisoner, and at 
 the same time assured him a livelihood. The same evening 
 the road by which the frontier should be reached was 
 agreed on, as well as the precautions to be taken during 
 the journey. It was also arranged that, in order to arouse 
 no suspicions, performances should be given in all the 
 towns they passed through, beginning with Toula, Ka- 
 louga, Smolensk, &c. 
 
 A month later, Worousky, now entirely recovered, gave 
 a first specimen of his marvellous skill to a numerous au- 
 dience at Toula. I possess a copy of the original bill, 
 which was given me by M. Hessler, nephew of Dr. Osloff, 
 who also supplied me with all these details. Worousky 
 won every game he played at Toula, and the papers were 
 full of praises of the automaton. Assured of success by 
 the brilliancy of their debut, M. de Kempelen and his 
 companion proceeded towards the frontier. 
 
 It was necessary that Worousky should be concealed
 
 THE ESCAPE. 167 
 
 from sight somewhere even when travelling ; hence he was 
 literally packed up. The enormous chest in which the 
 automaton was conveyed only travelled very slowly, appa- 
 rently through fear of breaking the machinery, but in 
 reality to protect the skillful chess-player who was shut up 
 in it, while air-holes were made in the side of this singular 
 post-chaise to enable to enable Worousky to breathe. 
 
 The poor cripple endured all this inconvenience calmly, 
 in the hope of soon being out of reach of the Muscovite 
 police, and arriving safe and sound at the end of this 
 painful journey. The fatigue, it must be granted, was 
 considerably alleviated by the enormous receipts they 
 netted by the exhibition. 
 
 Our travellers had arrived at Vitebsk, on the road to 
 the Prussian frontier, when one morning Kempelen rushed 
 into the room where Worousky was concealed. 
 
 "A frightful misfortune hangs over us," the mechani- 
 cian said, in a terrible state of alarm, and showing a letter 
 dated St. Petersburg. "Heaven knows how we shall 
 escape it ! The Empress Catherine, having heard through 
 the papers of the automaton's wonderful talent, desires to 
 play a game with it, and requests me to bring it straight 
 to the imperial palace. We must hit on some plan to 
 evade this dangerous honor." 
 
 To Kempelen's extreme surprise, Worousky heard this 
 great news very calmly, and even seemed to be pleased 
 at it. 
 
 " Refuse such a visit ! by no means: the- wishes of the 
 Czarina are orders which cannot be infringed without 
 peril ; we must, therefore, obey her as quickly as possible. 
 Your zeal will have the double effect of gaining her favor, 
 and removing any suspicions that might arise about your 
 automaton. Besides," the bold soldier added, with a
 
 168 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 degree of pride, " I confess I should like to find myself 
 face to face with the great Catherine, and show her that 
 the head on which she set the price of a few roubles is, 
 under certain circumstances, as good as her own." 
 
 "Madman that you are !" M. de Kempelen exclaimed, 
 startled by the excitement of the impetuous insurgent. 
 " Remember, that we may be discovered, and you will lose 
 your life, while I shall be sent to Siberia." 
 
 " Impossible !" Worousky quietly replied ; "your inge- 
 nious machine has already deceived so many skillful per- 
 sons, that I am convinced we shall soon have one dupe 
 more. Besides, what a glorious reminiscence, what an 
 honor it will be to us, if we can say some day that the 
 Empress Catherine II., the haughty Czarina, whom her 
 courtiers proclaim the most intellectual person in her 
 vast empire, was deceived by your genius, and conquered 
 by me !" 
 
 Kempelen, though not sharing Worousky's enthusiasm, 
 was obliged to yield. Hence, they set off without further 
 argument ; the journey was very long and fatiguing, but 
 Kempelen did not quit his companion for a moment, and 
 did all in his power to ameliorate his position. At length 
 they reached their journey's end, but though they had 
 travelled as fast as they could, Catherine, on receiving 
 Kempelen, appeared rather angry. 
 
 " My roads must be very bad, sir, if you require fifteen 
 days to travel from Vitebsk to St. Petersburg." 
 
 " Will your majesty," the crafty mechanician replied, 
 " allow me to make a confession which will serve as my 
 excuse?" 
 
 " Do so," Catherine replied, " provided it be not a con- 
 fession of the incapacity of your marvellous machine." 
 
 " On the contrary, I would confess that, being aware
 
 CATHERINE II. 169 
 
 of your majesty's skill at chess, I desired to offer you a 
 worthy opponent. Hence, before starting, I made some 
 additions which were indispensable for so important a 
 game." 
 
 "Ah !" the empress said, with a smile, smoothed down 
 by this flatttering explanation. "And you fancy these 
 new arrangements will enable your automaton to beat 
 me?" 
 
 " I should be much surprised were it otherwise." 
 
 " Well, we shall see, sir," the empress continued, nod- 
 ding her head ironically. " But," she added, in the same 
 tone, " when will you bring my terrible opponent before 
 me?" 
 
 " Whenever your majesty may please." 
 
 "If that is the case, I am so impatient to measure my 
 strength with the conqueror of the most skillful players 
 in my country, that I will receive him this very evening 
 in my library. Put up your machine there, and at eight 
 o clock I will join you. Be punctual !" 
 
 Kempelen took leave of Catherine, and hastened to 
 make his preparations for the evening. Worousky was de- 
 lighted at the prospect of amusing the empress ; but al- 
 though Kempelen was resolved to risk the adventure, he 
 wished to take all possible precautions, so that he might 
 have a way of escape in case of danger. Hence, he had 
 the automaton carried to the palace in the same chest in 
 which it travelled. 
 
 When eight o'clock struck, the empress, accompanied by 
 a numerous suite, entered the library and took her place 
 at the chess-board. 
 
 I have forgotten to say that Kempelen never allowed 
 any one to pass behind the automaton, and would not con- 
 sent to begin the game till all the spectators were in front 
 of the board.
 
 170 MEMOIRS OF KOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 The court took their places behind the empress, unani- 
 mously predicting the defeat of the automaton. The chest 
 and the Turk's body were then examined, and when all 
 were perfectly convinced they contained nothing but the 
 clockwork I have already mentioned, the game began. It 
 proceeded for some time in perfect silence, but Catherine's 
 frowning brow speedily revealed that the automaton was 
 not very gallant towards her, and fully deserved the repu- 
 tation it had gained. The skillful Mussulman captured a 
 bishop and a knight, and the game was turning much to 
 the disadvantage of the lady, when the Turk, suddenly 
 forgetting his dignified gravity, gave a violent blow on his 
 cushion, and pushed back a piece his adversary had just 
 moved. 
 
 Catherine II. had attempted to cheat ; perhaps to try 
 the skill of the automaton, or for some other reason. At 
 any rate the haughty empress, unwilling to confess her weak- 
 ness, replaced the piece on the same square, and regarded 
 the automaton with an air of imperious authority. The 
 result was most unexpected the Turk upset all the 
 pieces with a blow of his hand, and immediately the clock 
 work, which had been heard during the whole game, stop- 
 ped. It seemed as if the machinery had got out of repair. 
 Pale and trembling, M. de Kempelen, recognising in this 
 Worousky's impetuous temper, awaited the issue of this 
 conflict between the insurgent and his sovereign. 
 
 " Ah, ah ! my good automaton ! your manners, are 
 rather rough," the empress said, good humoredly, not 
 sorry to see a game she had small chance of winning 
 end thus. " Oh ! you are a famous player, I grant ; but 
 you were afraid of losing the game, and so prudently up- 
 set the pieces. Well, I am now quite convinced of your 
 skill and your violent character."
 
 A LUCKY ESCAPE. 171 
 
 M. de Kempelen began to breathe again, and regaining 
 courage, tried to remove the unfavorable impression which 
 the little respect shown by the automaton must have pro- 
 duced. Hence he said, humbly, 
 
 " Will your majesty allow me to offer an explanation of 
 what has just happened?" 
 
 "By no means, M. de Kempelen," Catherine said, 
 heartily "by no means; on the contrary, I find it most 
 amusing, and your automaton pleases me so much that I 
 wish to purchase it. I shall thus always have near me a 
 player, somewhat quick perhaps, but yet able to hold his 
 own. You can leave it here to-night, and come to-mor- 
 row morning to arrange the price." 
 
 There is strong reason to believe that Catherine wish- 
 ed to commit an indiscretion when she evinced a desire 
 that the figure should remain at the palace till the next 
 morning. Fortunately, the skillful mechanician managed 
 to baffle her feminine curiosity by carrying Worousky off 
 in the big chest. The automaton remained in the library, 
 but the player was no longer there. 
 
 The next day Catherine renewed her proposition to pur- 
 chase the chess-player, but Kempelen made her under- 
 stand that, as the figure could not perform without him, 
 he could not possibly sell it. The empress allowed the 
 justice of these arguments; and, while complimenting the 
 mechanician on his invention, made him a handsome pre- 
 sent. 
 
 Three months after the automaton was in England, un- 
 der the management of Mr. Anthon, to whom Kempelen 
 had sold it. I know not if Worousky was still attached 
 to it, but I fancy so, owing to the immense success the 
 chessplayer met with. Mr. Anthon visited the whole of 
 Europe, always meeting with the same success; but, at
 
 172 MEMOIRS OF KOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 his death, the celebrated automaton was purchased by 
 Maelzel, who embarked with it for New York. It was 
 then, probably, Worousky took leave of his hospitable 
 Turk, for the automaton was not nearly so successful in 
 America. After exhibiting his mechanical trumpeter and 
 chess-player for some time, Maelzel set out again for 
 France, but died on the passage of an attack of indiges- 
 tion. His heirs sold his apparatus, and thus Cronier ob- 
 tained his precious relic. 
 
 My fortunate star again furnished me with an excellent 
 occasion for continuing my studies. A Prussian of the 
 name of Koppen exhibited at Paris, about the year 1829, 
 an instrument known as the Componium. It was a per- 
 fect mechanical orchestra, playing operatic overtures with 
 remarkable precision and effect, and it owed its name to 
 the circumstance that, by means of truly marvellous ar- 
 rangements, this instrument improvised charming varia- 
 tions without ever repeating itself. It was asserted to be as 
 difficult to hear the same variation twice, as to find two 
 similar quaternes drawn in succession at a lottery. 
 
 The Componium was enormously successful, but at last 
 public curiosity was exhausted, and it was withdrawn, 
 after bringing in the owner one hundred thousand francs 
 clear profit in a year. This amount, whether correct or 
 not, was adroitly published, and some time after the in- 
 strument was put up for sale. A speculator by the name 
 
 of D , seduced by the hope of obtaining equally large 
 
 receipts in a foreign country, bought the instrument, and 
 
 took it to England. Unfortunately for D , at the moment 
 
 when this goose with the golden eggs arrived in London, 
 George IV. died ; the court went into mourning, and no 
 one visited the instrument. In order to avoid useless ex- 
 pense, D thought it prudent to give up a scheme com-
 
 THE COMPONIUM. 173 
 
 menced under such evil auspices, and determined on re- 
 turning to Paris. The Componium was consequently taken 
 to pieces, packed up and carried to France. 
 
 D , hoped the instrument would enter duty free, but, 
 
 on leaving France, he had omitted some formality indis- 
 pensable before obtaining this favor. The Customs stopped 
 it, and he was obliged to refer the case to the Minister of 
 Trade. While awaiting his decision, the chests were de- 
 posited in damp ware-rooms, and it was not till the end 
 of the year, and after numberless formalities and difficul- 
 ties, that the instrument returned to Paris. 
 
 This will give an idea of the state of disorder, confusion 
 and damage in which the Componium was left. 
 
 Discouraged by the ill success of his trip to England, 
 
 D resolved on selling his mechanical improviser, but, 
 
 before doing so, he cast about for a mechanician who 
 would undertake to put it in working order. I have for- 
 gotton to state that, on the sale of the Componium, M. 
 Koppen had handed over with it a very clever German 
 workman, who was, as it were, the driver of this gigantic 
 instrument. This person, finding he must sit with his 
 hands before him during the interminable formalities of 
 the French Customs, thought he could not do better than 
 return home. 
 
 The repair of the Componium was a tedious business 
 a work of perserverance and research for, as its ar- 
 rangement had always been kept secret, no one could 
 
 supply the least information. D himself, having no 
 
 notion of mechanism, could not be of the slightest use, so 
 the workman must only depend on his own ideas. 
 
 I heard the matter talked about, and, urged by a pro- 
 bably too flattering opinion of myself, or rather dazzled 
 by the glory of executing such a splendid job, I offered 
 to undertake the immense repairs.
 
 174 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 I was laughed at : the confession is humiliating, but 
 perfectly truthful. I must say, too, that it was justifiable, 
 for I was only known at that time as an humble workman, 
 and it was feared that, far from making the instrument 
 act properly, I should cause still greater injury, while try- 
 ing to repair it. However, as D met with no better 
 
 offer, and I offered to deposit a sum, to be forfeited in the 
 event of my doing any injury, he eventually yielded to 
 my wishes. 
 
 It will be allowed that I was a very conscientious work- 
 man ; but, in reality, I acted for my own benefit, as this 
 undertaking, by supplying me with an interesting object 
 of study, would prove a perfect lesson in mechanism for 
 me. 
 
 As soon as my offer was accepted, all the boxes in which 
 the componium was packed were carried into a large room 
 I used as workshop, and emptied, pell-mell, into sheets, 
 spread for the purpose, on the ground. 
 
 When alone, and I saw this heap of rusty iron, these 
 myriads of parts, whose meaning I did not understand, 
 this orchestra of instruments of every size and shape, such 
 as cornets, bugles, hautboys, flutes, clarionets, bassoons, 
 organ pipes, big drum, triangle, cymbals, &c., all arranged 
 in sizes, according to the chromatic scale, I was so fright- 
 ened by the difficulty of my task, that I was quite annihi- 
 leted for several hours. 
 
 To better understand my mad presumption, which only 
 my passion for mechanics and my love of the marvellous 
 can excuse, I must add that I never even saw the com- 
 ponium performing ; hence, all was an unknown country 
 for me. Add to this, that the greater portion of the 
 works were covered with rust and verdigris. 
 
 Seated in the midst of this musical chaos, with my head
 
 I AM SUCCESSFUL. 175 
 
 resting in my hands, I asked myself a hundred times this 
 simple question, "Where shall I begin?" and then my 
 imagination was quite paralysed. One morning, however, 
 finding myself well disposed, and feeling the influence of 
 the Hippocratic axiom, "Mens sana in corpore sano," I 
 felt disgusted at my long sloth, and rushed headforemost 
 at my immense task. 
 
 If my readers were only mechanicians, how willingly 
 would I describe to them all my trials, attempts, and 
 studies ! With what pleasure I would explain the skillful 
 and ingenious combinations that arose successively from 
 this chaos ! But as I fancy I can see my readers turning 
 over my pages to seek the end of a chapter that is growing 
 too serious, I will check my inclination, and content my- 
 self with stating that, for a whole year, I proceeded from 
 the known to the unknown, in solving this inextricable 
 problem, and one day I had the happiness of seeing my 
 labors crowned with complete success. The componium 
 a new phoenix had risen from its ashes. 
 
 This unexpected success gained me the greatest praise, 
 
 and D bade me name my own price ; but I would not 
 
 accept anything beyond my actual outlay, feeling amply 
 repaid by such a glorious result. And yet, however high 
 my reward might have been, it would not have repaid me 
 what this task, which overtasked my strength, eventually 
 cost me.
 
 176 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN.. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 An Inventor's Calculations One Hundred Thousand Francs a Year by 
 an Inkstand: Deception My new Automata The First Magician 
 in France: Decadence I meet Antonio Bosco The Trick with 
 the Cups An Execution Resurrection of the Criminals Mistake 
 in a Head The Canary rewarded. 
 
 MY sleepless nights, my incessant toil, and, above all, 
 the feverish agitations resulting from all the emotions of 
 such an arduous undertaking, had undermined my health. 
 A brain-fever attacked me, and though I recovered from 
 it, it was only to pass five long years in listlessness and 
 vacuity. My mind seemed quite gone : I felt no passion, 
 no love, no interest, even in the arts I had so delighted in : 
 conjuring and mechanism only existed for me in the shape 
 of recollections. 
 
 But this illness, which had mastered the faculty of Paris, 
 could not resist the refreshing air of the country, where I 
 retired for six months, and when I returned to Paris, I 
 was a new man. With what joy I saw again my beloved 
 tools ! With what ardor I reassumed my work ! for I had 
 to regain not only the lost time, but also the enormous ex- 
 penses incurred by my long illness. 
 
 My modest fortune was for the moment sensibly dimin- 
 ished, but on this point I was case-hardened ; for would 
 not my future performances fill up all these losses, and 
 insure me a handsome fortune ? Thus I discounted an 
 uncertain future ; but, after all, do not all inventors like 
 to convert their schemes into ingots ?
 
 AN INVENTOR. 177 
 
 Perhaps, too, I unconsciously yielded to the influence 
 of one of my friends, an extraordinary projector, whom 
 mistakes and deceptions never hindered forming fresh 
 schemes. Our manner of calculating the future had con- 
 siderable affinity. But I must do him this justice : how- 
 ever high my estimate might be, he was far superior to 
 me in that respect. Here is an instance to judge by. 
 
 One day this friend called upon me, and showing me an 
 inkstand of his invention, which combined the double 
 merit of being safe from upset, and of always keeping the 
 ink at the same level, said, 
 
 " At last, my lad, I have hit it ; this invention will 
 make a revolution in the writing world, and allow me to 
 walk about like a gentleman, with a hundred thousand 
 francs a year at the very lowest, understand me. But 
 you can judge for yourself, if you follow my calculations 
 closely. You know, there are thirty-six millions of in- 
 habitants in France?" 
 
 I nodded an affirmative. 
 
 " Starting on this basis, I do not think I err if I assume 
 that at least one-half can write, eh ? or, say we take one- 
 third, or, to be still more sure, the round sum of ten mil- 
 lions. Now, I hope I shall not be charged with exaggera- 
 tion, if, out of these ten millions, I take one-tenth, or a 
 million, as the number of those looking after what may be 
 useful to them." 
 
 And my friend stopped here and looked at me, as much 
 as to say, "Am I not reasonable in my estimates?" 
 
 " We have, then, in France one million men capable of 
 appreciating the benefits of my inkstand. Well, of this 
 number how many will you allow who, during the first 
 year, hear of my inkstand, and consequently will purchase 
 
 it?" 
 
 M
 
 178 MEMOIES OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 "Well," I replied, "I confess to a difficulty in giving 
 you an exact answer." 
 
 " Good Heavens ! who spoke about exactness ? I only 
 want an approximation, and that must be the lowest pos- 
 sible, that there may be no mistake." 
 
 "Well," I went on, continuing my friend's decimal cal- 
 culations, "take a tenth." 
 
 "Now, mind, you said a tenth, or, in other words, one 
 hundred thousand. But," the inventor continued, charmed 
 at seeing me share his brilliant calculations, " do you know 
 what the sale of these one hundred thousand inkstands 
 will produce me in a year ?" 
 
 " I can form no idea." 
 
 " I will then tell you. I have reserved myself one franc 
 on each inkstand sold. This gives a profit then " 
 
 " Of one hundred thousand francs, of course." 
 
 " You see, there is no difficulty in making the calcula- 
 tion. You must bear in mind, too, that the other nine 
 hundred thousand writers we left on one side will end by 
 appreciating my inkstand : they will also buy it. Then 
 what will the nine millions we omitted do ? And notice, 
 too, that I am only speaking of France, which is a mere 
 dot on the globe. When foreign countries know its merits, 
 
 when the English and their colonies order it Oh, it 
 
 would require a mathematician to reckon all this up !" 
 
 My friend wiped his brow, which had grown quite damp 
 during the heat of his address, and he ended by repeat- 
 ing, 4 " Remember, we established our estimate on the low- 
 est basis." 
 
 Unfortunately, that was the place where my friend's 
 calculation broke down. His inkstand, being much too 
 dear, was not purchased, and the inventor ended by add- 
 ing this gold mine to his many other deceptions.
 
 MY AUTOMATA. 179 
 
 I, too, I confess, based my calculations on the census, 
 or, at least, on the approximative number of visitors to the 
 capital, and even at the lowest figure I arrived at a most 
 satisfactory result. But I do not regret having given 
 way to these fancies, for though they occasioned me vari- 
 ous disappointments, they served to keep up some energy 
 in my mind, and enabled me to wrestle against the num- 
 berless difficulties I encountered in making my automata. 
 Besides, who has not, once in his life at least, indulged in 
 the gilded calculations of my friend the inkstand inventor ? 
 
 I have already repeatedly mentioned the automata I 
 made, and it is high time to describe the nature of the 
 articles intended to be used in my performances. 
 
 The first was a small pastrycook issuing from his shop 
 door at the word of command, and bringing, according to 
 the spectator's request, patties and refreshments of every 
 description. At the side of the shop assistant pastry- 
 cooks might be seen rolling paste and putting it in the 
 oven. 
 
 Another specimen represented two clowns, Auriol and 
 Debureau. The latter held out at arm's length a chair, 
 on which his merry comrade performed acrobatic tricks, 
 like his namesake at the circus in the Champs Elyse'es. 
 After these performances Auriol smoked a pipe, and 
 ended by accompanying on the flagolet an air played by 
 the orchestra. 
 
 The next was a mysterious orange-tree, on which flowers 
 and fruit burst into life at the -request of the ladies. As 
 the finale, a handkerchief I borrowed was conveyed into 
 an orange purposely left on the tree. This opened and 
 displayed the handkerchief, which two butterflies took by 
 the corners and unfolded before the spectators. 
 
 Lastly, I made a dial of transparent glass, which
 
 180 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 marked the hours at the Trill of the spectators, and struck 
 the time on a crystal bell. 
 
 At the time I was most deeply engaged in these labors, 
 I made a very agreeable rencontre. While walking along 
 the Boulevards, full of thought, according to my usual 
 habit, I heard some one calling me. On turning round, 
 an elegantly-dressed man pressed my hand. 
 
 "Antonio!" I exclaimed, as I embraced him, "how 
 glad I am to see you ! But why are you here what are 
 you doing and Torrini?" 
 
 Antonio interrupted me. " I will tell you all about it. 
 Come to my apartments, where we shall be more at ease. 
 I only live a few doors off." 
 
 In fact, within two minutes we stopped in the Rue de 
 Lancry, before a very handsome house. 
 
 " Go up," Antonio said: "I live on the second floor." 
 
 A servant opened the door. " Is your mistress at 
 home?" Antonio asked. 
 
 "No, sir; but I was to tell you she would be in soon." 
 
 After leading me into a pretty drawing-room, Antonio 
 made me sit down by his side on a sofa. 
 
 "Now, my friend, let us talk, for we must have a great 
 deal to tell each other." 
 
 " Yes, let us talk ; for I confess that my curiosity is 
 strongly excited. I fancy, at times, I am dreaming." 
 
 " I will bring you back to real life," Antonio continued, 
 " by telling you what has happened to me since we parted. 
 Let us begin with poor Torj*ini." 
 
 I made a movement of pained surprise. 
 
 "What do you say, Antonio? Can our friend ?" 
 
 " Yes, it is only too true. Death struck him at the 
 moment we had every reason to hope a happier fate. On 
 leaving you, Torrini intended to return as quickly as pos-
 
 THE FIRST MAGICIAN OF FRANCE. 181 
 
 sible to Italy. The Count dc Grisy was anxious to reas- 
 sume his name and revisit the scenes of past successes, for 
 he hoped there to become again the brilliant magician of 
 yore. God decided otherwise. Just as we were about 
 leaving Lyons, where we had been giving some successful 
 performances, he was suddenly seized with typhus fever, 
 which carried him off in a few days. 
 
 " I was his residuary legatee, and after paying the last 
 honors to a man to whom I had pledged my life, I began 
 realizing my small fortune. I sold the horses and travel-, 
 ling-carriage, and kept the apparatus, as I intended to use 
 it. I had no profession, so I thought I could not do 
 better than to take up one, for which the road was clear 
 before me, and I hoped that my name, to which my 
 brother-in-law had given a certain celebrity in France, 
 would assist me. It was very bold in me to try and fill 
 the place of such a master, but I thought my impudence 
 would answer as well as talent. 
 
 " Hence I called myself Signer Torrini, and, after the 
 fashion of my rivals, I added the title of ' first magician 
 of France.' Each of us is always the first and the most 
 skillful in the country where he happens to be, unless he 
 think proper to call himself the first in the whole world. 
 Conjuring is a profession in which, as you know, no one 
 errs through excess of modesty, and the custom of produc- 
 ing illusions facilitates this issue of bad money, which the 
 public, it is true, appreciates and sets its true value on. 
 
 "So it behaved to me, for, despite my pompous an- 
 nouncements, I frankly confess it did not recognize the 
 celebrity I claimed. On the contrary, my performances 
 were so little attended, that my receipts were hardly suffi- 
 cient for my existence. Still I went from town to town, 
 giving my performances, and nourishing myself more often
 
 182 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 on hope than on reality. But the moment arrived when 
 this unsubstantial food no longer sufficed me, and I was 
 forced to stop. I had exhausted my resources : I had 
 nothing left but my instruments. My clothes were re- 
 duced to the sheerest necessity, and threatened to desert 
 me at any moment : thus hesitation was impossible. I 
 decided on selling my instruments, and, provided with the 
 small sum they produced me, I set out for Paris, the last 
 refuge of those whose talent is neglected and position 
 hopeless. 
 
 " In spite of my ill success, I had lost none of my stock 
 of philosophy, and, though not very happy, I was full of 
 hope in the future. Yes, my friend yes, I had a pre- 
 sentiment at that time of the brilliant position fate re- 
 served for me, and to which it lead me, I may say, by the 
 hand. 
 
 " Once arrived at Paris, I hired a modest room, and 
 determined to live as savingly as possible, in order to make 
 my money hold out. You see that, in spite of my confi- 
 dence in the future, I took some precautions, so as not to 
 run the risk of dying of hunger; but you will allow I 
 acted wrong in not trusting entirely to my lucky star. 
 
 " I had hardly been in Paris a week, when I met an old 
 comrade, a Florentine, who used to perform as second 
 basso in my old theatre. He, too, had been maltreated 
 by Fortune, and having come to Paris, he found himself 
 reduced to accept a situation in the chorus of the Opera. 
 When I had revealed my position to him, he told me a tenor 
 situation was vacant in the chorus, and advised me to try 
 and get it : I accepted the offer with pleasure, though, of 
 course, as merely transitional, for I felt a pang at my 
 descent. Still, prudence suggested I had better guard 
 against want.
 
 THE MUSIC-MASTER. 183 
 
 "I have often noticed," Antonio continued, "that those 
 events which inspire us with the greatest doubt, turn out 
 the most favorable, and mine was a case in point. As I 
 had a good deal of spare time, I thought I would employ 
 it in giving singing lessons. I, therefore described myself as 
 a singer at the Opera, while concealing the position I occu- 
 pied there. Procuring my first pupil was as difficult as 
 saving the first hundred pounds towards a fortune, and I 
 had to wait a long time. At length I caught him ; then 
 others ; and, gradually, I had enough pupils to enable me 
 to leave the theatre. 
 
 " I must tell you this determination had another reason. 
 I loved one of my lady pupils, and she returned my affec- 
 tion. Under such circumstances, it was not prudent 
 to remain a chorus-singer, which might have impeded 
 my views. You naturally expect some romantic adven- 
 ture ; but nothing could be more simple than the event 
 which crowned our loves it was marriage. 
 
 "Madame Torrini, whom you will see presently, was 
 the daughter of a retired laceman. Her father, a widower, 
 with no other children, had no will but his daughter's, and 
 he accepted my offers. He was the worthiest of men; 
 but, unfortunately we lost him two years ago. I retired 
 from my professional duties on the fortune he left us, and 
 I now live happily and calmly, in a position which realizes 
 my most brilliant dreams of old. This is another proof," 
 my philosophic friend said, in conclusion, "that, however 
 precarious may be the position in which a man finds him- 
 self, he ought never to despair of luck turning." 
 
 My story was not so long as Antonio's, for with the 
 exception of my marriage, there was no event worthy nar- 
 rating. I told him, however of my long illness, and tho 
 work that had brought it on, and I had scarce ended, when
 
 184 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Madame Torrini entered the room. My friend's wife re- 
 ceived me most kindly, saying : 
 
 "I have known you, sir, for a long time, as Antonio 
 told me your history, which caused me to feel the greatest 
 interest, and my husband and myself often regretted we 
 could not hear of you. Now, however, M. Robert," she 
 added, " that we have found you, consider yourself an old 
 friend of the family and come to see us often." 
 
 I profited by this kind invitation, and more than once 
 went to seek consolation and encouragement from these 
 worthy friends. 
 
 Antonio still took an interest in conjuring, although it 
 was a mere distraction by which he amused his friends. 
 Still, not a conjurer announced his performance but he 
 went to see him. One morning he entered my workshop 
 in great haste. 
 
 "Look here," he said, offering me a paper, "as you run 
 after all the celebrated conjurers, here is one that will 
 astonish you. Read." 
 
 I took the paper eagerly, and read the following puff: 
 
 " The famous Bosco, who can conjure away a house as 
 easily as a nutmeg, is about to give his performances at 
 Paris, in which some miraculous tricks will be executed." 
 
 "Well, what do you say to that?" Antonio asked me. 
 
 " A man must possess very great talent to undertake 
 the responsibility of such praise. After all, I think the 
 journalist is amusing himself at the expense of his readers, 
 and that the famous Bosco only exists in his columns." 
 
 " You are quite wrong, my dear Robert : this conjurer 
 is not an imaginary being, for not only have I read this 
 puff in several papers, but I even saw Bosco last night at 
 a cafe", giving some specimens of his skill, and announcing 
 his first performance for next Tuesday."
 
 THE GREAT BOSCO. 185 
 
 " If it be so," I said to my friend, " I must ask you to 
 spend the evening with M. Bosco, and I will come and 
 call for you." 
 
 " Done," said Antonio, " mind and call for me on Tues- 
 day at half-past seven, as the performance commences at 
 eight." 
 
 : At the appointed time we proceeded to the Rue Chan- 
 tereine, where the performance was announced. At the 
 money-taker's we found ourselves face to face with a stout 
 gentleman, dressed in a coat adorned with frogs and 
 trimmed with fur, making him look like a Russian prince 
 on his travels. Antonio nudged me with his elbow, and 
 said, in a whisper, " That's he !" 
 
 "Who's he?" 
 
 "Why, Bosco." 
 
 " All the worse," I said ; " I am sorry for him." 
 
 " Explain yourself, for I do not understand the harm a 
 Boyard's dress can do a man." 
 
 " My friend, I do not blame M. Bosco so much for his 
 dress as for occupying his present place. I think an ar- 
 tiste cannot be too chary of his person off the stage ; there 
 is so much difference between the man whom an entire au- 
 dience listens to and applauds, and the director who 
 comes openly to watch his paltry interests, that the latter 
 must injure the former." 
 
 During this conversation, my friend and myself had en- 
 tered the room and taken our seats. According to the 
 idea I had formed of a magician's laboratory, I expected 
 to find myself before a curtain whose large folds, when 
 withdrawn, would display before my dazzled eyes a bril- 
 liant stage ornamented with apparatus worthy of the 
 celebrity announced ; but my illusions on this subject soon 
 faded away.
 
 186 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 A curtain had been considered superfluous, and the 
 stage was open. Before me was a long three-storied side- 
 board, entirely covered with black serge. This lugubrious 
 buffet was adorned with a number of wax candles, among 
 which glistened the apparatus. At the topmost point of 
 this strange etargere was a death's-head, much surprised, 
 I have no doubt, at finding itself at such a festival, and it 
 quite produced the effect of a funeral service. 
 
 In front of the stage, and near the spectators, was a ta- 
 ble covered by a brown cloth, reaching to the ground, on 
 which five brass cups were symmetrically arranged. Fi- 
 nally, above this table hung a copper ball, which strangely 
 excited my curiosity.* 
 
 For the life of me I could not imagine what this was 
 for, so I determined to wait till Bosco came to explain it. 
 Antonio had entered into conversation with his neighbor, 
 who spoke in the most enthusiastic manner of the perform- 
 ance we were about to witness. The silvery sound of a 
 small bell put an end to my reverie and to my friend's 
 conversation, and Bosco appeared on the stage. 
 
 The artiste had changed his costume : he had substituted 
 for the Russian great-coat a little black velvet jacket, fas- 
 tened round the waist by a leathern belt of the same color. 
 His sleeves were excessively short, and displayed a hand- 
 some arm. He wore loose black trousers, ornamented at 
 the bottom with a ruche of lace, and a large white collar 
 round his neck. This strange attire bore considerable re- 
 semblance to the classical costume of the Scapins in our 
 plays. 
 
 * Since this period Bosco has changed his stage decorations : his 
 cloths have altered their colors, his candles are shorter, but the death's- 
 head, the ball, the costume, and the tricks, have ever remained the 
 same,
 
 THE PIGEON TRICK. 187 
 
 After making a majestic bow to his audience, the cele- 
 brated conjurer walked silently and with measured steps 
 up to the famous copper ball. After convincing himself 
 it was solidly hung, he took up his wand, which he wiped 
 with a white handkerchief, as if to remove any foreign in- 
 fluence ; then, with imperturbable gravity, he struck the 
 ball thrice with it, pronouncing, amid the most solemn 
 silence, this imperious sentence : Spiriti miei infernali, 
 obedite. 
 
 I, like a simpleton, scarce breathed in my expectation 
 of some miraculous result, but it was only an innocent 
 pleasantry, a simple introduction to the performance" with 
 the cups. I was, I confess, rather disappointed, for, in 
 my opinion, this performance was only suited for the pub- 
 lic streets, and I did not expect any one would venture it 
 on a Paris stage in 1838. I was justified in this view, as 
 two persons, Miette and Lesprit, might be daily seen going 
 through this performance in the streets. Still, I must say 
 that Bosco displayed great skill, and was heartily ap- 
 plauded by the public. 
 
 "Well," Antonio's neighbor said, victoriously, "was I 
 not right is he not remarkably clever? But you'll see, 
 that's nothing as yet." 
 
 Either Antonio was in a bad temper, or the performance 
 did not please him, for he could not "plant " the admira- 
 tion he had been quite prepared to bestow. In fact, he 
 became most impatient when Bosco commenced the 
 "pigeon trick." Still, it must be allowed that the mise 
 en scene and the execution were of a nature to irritate 
 nerves even less sensitive than my friend's. 
 
 A servant placed on small tables on either side the stage 
 two small blocks of black wood, on each of which a death's- 
 head was painted. They were the blocks for the culprits.
 
 188 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Bosco then came forward, holding a knife in one hand and 
 a black pigeon in the other. 
 
 " Here is a pizon" (I forgot to state that Bosco spoke 
 with a strong Italian accent) " zat has behaved badly. I 
 am going to cut off his head ; zall it be, ladies, wiz blood 
 or wizout ?" (This was one of his strong points.) 
 
 Some people laughed, but the ladies hesitated to reply 
 to this strange question. 
 
 "Without blood," a spectator said. Bosco then placed 
 the pigeon's head on the block and cut it off, being careful 
 to press the neck, and prevent the effusion of blood. 
 
 "You zee, ladies," the operator said, "zat ze pizon 
 does not bleed, as you ordered." 
 
 "With blood," suppose another spectator said. Then 
 Bosco loosened the artery, and let the blood run on a 
 plate, which he handed round for inspection. The head, 
 after being cut off, was placed upright on one of the 
 blocks; and Bosco, taking advantage of a convulsive 
 movement, which caused the beak to open, made this bar- 
 barous jest: "Come, mossiou, bow to zis amiable com- 
 pany now once more. Ah, ah, zat is right." 
 
 The public listened, but no longer laughed. 
 
 The same operation was performed on a white pigeon 
 without the slightest variation, after which Bosco placed 
 the bodies in two false-bottomed boxes, being careful to 
 put the black head with the white pigeon, and the white 
 head with the black one. Then he repeated his conjura- 
 tions over the boxes, and when he opened them, a black 
 pigeon came with a white head, and a white one with a 
 black head. Each of the culprits, according to Bosco, 
 had been restored to life, and assumed its comrade's head. 
 
 " Well, what do you think of that ?" Antonio's neighbor 
 asked him, as he clapped vociferously.
 
 POOR PIAROT. 189 
 
 "To tell you the truth," my friend replied, "I must 
 say the trick is not very wonderful. Besides, I should 
 like it better were it performed with less cruelty." 
 
 "Ah, you have delicate nerves, I see," the neighbor 
 said ; " perhaps you experience similar sensations when 
 you see a fowl killed and put on the spit?" 
 
 "Allow me, sir, before answering you," my friend re- 
 plied, sharply, to ask if I have come here to see a kitchen 
 performance ? 
 
 The discussion was growing warm, and was rather 
 savage in its tone, when a third party terminated the dis- 
 pute by the following jest : 
 
 " Hang it, sir," he said to Antonio, " if you do not like 
 cruelty, at any rate do not disgust other people with it." 
 
 Bosco now returned on the stage with a canary in his 
 hand. 
 
 "Zentlemen," he said, "this is Piarot: he is very 
 polite, and zall zalute you. Come, Piarot, do your duty." 
 And he pinched the bird's claws with such force that the 
 unfortunate tried to escape from this cruel clutch. Over- 
 come by pain, it bent down over the juggler's hand, utter- 
 ing cries of distress. 
 
 " Zat is good ; I am zatisfied wiz you. You see, ladies, 
 he not only zalutes you, but he says * Good-night.' Con- 
 tinue, Piarot, you zall be rewarded." 
 
 The same torture made the bird bow twice more, and to 
 reward it its master placed it in the hands of a lady, 
 begging her to keep it. But during the passage the bird 
 had ended its life, and reached the lady's hand dead. 
 Bosco had strangled it. 
 
 " Oh, gt>od Heavens, madam !" the conjurer exclaimed, 
 "I believe you have killed my Piarot you zall have 
 squeezed him too moch. Piarot Piarot!" he added,
 
 190 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOTJDIN. 
 
 tossing the bird in the air, " Piarot, answer to me. Ah, 
 madam, he is dezidedly dead. What zall my wife say 
 when she sees Bosco arrive wizout his Piarot : quite zurely 
 I zall be beaten by Madame Bosco." (I must observe, 
 here, that all I describe is literally true.) 
 
 This bird was interred in a large box, whence, after 
 fresh conjurations, a living bird came out. This new 
 victim was fated to suffer shorter agony. It was thrust 
 alive into the barrel of a large pistol, and Bosco, holding a 
 sword in his hand, begged a spectator to fire at the point 
 of the weapon he held out to him. The pistol was fired, 
 and a third victim was seen spitted on the point of the 
 sword. 
 
 Antonio rose. "Let us go," he said, "for I am turn- 
 ing sick." 
 
 I have seen Bosco several times since then, and each 
 time I studied him carefully, not only to try and explain 
 the cause of the great fashion he enjoyed, but also to be 
 able to compare the various opinions expressed about this 
 celebrated man. Here are some deductions drawn from 
 my observations. 
 
 Bosco's performances generally please a large number, 
 for the public suppose that, through some inexplicable ad- 
 dress, the bird-murders are simply feigned, and, tranquil, 
 on this point, they indulge in all the pleasure caused by 
 the talent of the conjurer and the originality of his accent. 
 
 Bosco has a quaint and full-sounding name, adapted to 
 become popular, and no one knows better than he how to 
 take advantage of it. Neglecting no opportunity for 
 notoriety, he performs at any hour of the day, whatever 
 may be the quality and number of the spectators. In a 
 coach, at a table d'hote, in cafe's or shops, he never fails 
 to give some specimen of his skill, by juggling a coin, a 
 ring, and so on.
 
 BOSCO'S POPULARITY. 191 
 
 The witnesses of these little improvised performances 
 consider themselves bound to return Bosco's politeness, by 
 attending his public performance. They have formed the 
 acquaintance of the celebrated conjurer, and are obliged 
 to sustain the reputation of their new friend. Hence, they 
 urge all their acquaintances to go also, puff off the per- 
 formance, and thus the room is always full. 
 
 It must also be mentioned that numerous accomplices 
 help Bosco's popularity materially. Each of them, it is 
 known, is instructed to hand the magician a handkerchief, 
 shawl, watch, &c., which he has in double. This allows 
 him to pass them with an appearance of magic or skill, 
 into a cabbage, a loaf, a box, or any other object. These 
 accomplices, while aiding in the conjurer's experiments, 
 have a great interest in securing their success : for their 
 self-love finds its profit in the success of the mystification. 
 Besides, they have no objection to accept some of the ap- 
 plause as their due : hence, the magician has as many 
 admirers as accomplices, and the influence a dozen intelli- 
 gent prompters can exert in a room is well known. 
 
 Such were the influences which, joined to Bosco's talent, 
 gained him a great renown for many years.
 
 192 MEMOIRS OF EGBERT HOUDIN. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 A Reverse of Fortune Cookery and Clockwork The Artist's Home 
 Invention of an Automaton Voluntary Exile A modest Villa 
 The Inconveniences of a Speciality Two August Visitors The 
 Throat of a mechanical Nightingale The Tiou and the Rrrrrrrrouit 
 Seven Thousand Francs earned by making Filings. 
 
 IN the meanwhile I worked indefatigably at my au- 
 tomata, hoping that when these were completed, I should 
 be able to establish myself permanently. But, in spite of 
 my activity, I advanced very slowly towards the realiza- 
 tion of my long-deferred hopes. 
 
 Only an inventor can know the value of a day's work 
 on the gloomy road to success in combining automata. 
 Numberless trials and deceptions of every nature foil at 
 any moment the best-conceived plans, and seem to realize 
 the pleasant story about reaching the end of a journey 
 by making two steps forward and three backward. 
 
 I performed this wearisome progress during six months, 
 and, at the end of -that time, though I had several speci- 
 mens far advanced, it was still impossible for me to fix the 
 period when they would be quite finished. In order not 
 to defer my appearance before the public, I therefore re- 
 solved to begin with my conjuring tricks and such au- 
 tomata as were ready. I had arranged with an architect, 
 who was to help me in finding a suitable site for a thea- 
 tre, but I had scarce taken my first steps, when an un- 
 foreseen catastrophe ruined both my father-in-law and 
 myself.
 
 A REVERSE OF FORTUNE. 193 
 
 This reverse of fortune threw me into a state of abject 
 despondency, for I saw, to iny terror, the realization of 
 my plans indefinitely postponed. I could no longer think 
 of inventing machines, but must work, day by day, to 
 support my large family. I had four children, all very 
 young, and this was a heavy burden on a man who had 
 never yet thought of his own interests. 
 
 The vulgar truth, " Time dissipates the severest griefs," 
 is not the less true from being so often repeated ; and it 
 was the case with me. I was at first as wretched as man 
 could well be ; then my despair gradually died away, and 
 made room for sorrow and resignation. At last, as it is 
 not my nature to keep up a melancholy character long, I 
 ended by accepting the situation. Then the future, 
 which had appeared so gloomy, assumed a different face, 
 and, by a gradual process of reasoning, I began to indulge 
 in reflections whose consoling philosophy restored my 
 courage. 
 
 " Why should I despair?" I said to myself. "At my 
 age, time itself is a fortune, and I have a . considerable 
 reserve fund of that. Besides, who knows whether 
 Providence, by sending me this trial, has not wished to 
 delay an undertaking that was not yet quite assured of 
 success?" 
 
 In fact, what had I to offer the public that would over- 
 come the indifference a new performer always inspires ? 
 improved conjuring tricks! Those, I thought, would 
 not prevent me failing, for I was unaware at that period 
 that, in order to please the public, an idea must be, if not 
 novel, at least completely transformed, so that it cannot 
 be recognized. Only in that way can an artiste escape a 
 remark that always fills him with dread "I have seen 
 thit before." My automata and mechanical curiosities 
 
 N
 
 194 MEM OIKS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 would not have betrayed the hopes I built upon them, but 
 I had too few, and the specimens I had in hand still re- 
 quired years of study and labor. 
 
 These wise reflections restored my courage, and, re- 
 signed to my new situation, I resolved to effect an utter 
 reform in my budget. I had nothing more to look for 
 than what I earned with my own hands, so I hired a 
 modest lodging, at three hundred francs a year, in the Rue 
 du Temple. It consisted of a room, a cabinet and a stove 
 in a cupboard, to which my proprietor gave the name of 
 kitchen. I converted the largest room into our common 
 sleeping apartment, the cabinet served as my workshop, 
 while the stove kitchen was used to prepare our modest 
 meals. 
 
 My wife, though in delicate health, undertook the house- 
 hold department. Fortunately, this was not very labori- 
 ous, as our meals were most modest ; and as our rooms 
 were limited in number, there was not much moving about 
 required. The proximity of our mutual laboratories had 
 also this double advantage, that, whenever my house- 
 keeper was absent,- I could watch the pot-au-feu or stir a 
 ragout without leaving my levers, wheels and cogs. 
 
 These vulgar occupations for an artiste will make many 
 a reader smile, but when a man cannot afford to keep a 
 servant, and the quality of the dinner, consisting of a 
 single dish, depends on the care devoted to it, it is better 
 to pocket one's dignity and attend to the culinary depart- 
 ment, at any rate, without feeling false shame. However, 
 it appears that I performed my confidential mission ad- 
 mirably, for my exactitude gained me abundant praise. 
 Still, I must confess that I had very slight talent foi 
 cooking, and this boasted exactitude was produced by my 
 fear of incurring the reproaches of my head cook.
 
 THE ALARUM-LIGHT. 195 
 
 This humble existence was less painful to me than I 
 had imagined. I had always been moderate, and the 
 privation of succulent dishes affected me very little. My 
 wife, surrounded by her children, to whom she devoted 
 her utmost care, seemed equally happy, while hoping for 
 better times to come. 
 
 I had resumed my first trade, that of repairing watches 
 and clocks. Still, this was only to secure our hand-to- 
 mouth existence, for all the while I was repairing I was 
 meditating a piece of clockwork, the success of which re- 
 stored some ease to our household. It was an alarum, 
 which was thus arranged : 
 
 You placed it by your side when you went to bed, and, 
 at the hour desired, a peal aroused the sleeper, while, at 
 the same time, a ready lighted candle came out from a 
 small box. I was the prouder of this invention and its 
 success, as it was the first of my ideas which produced me 
 any profit. 
 
 This " alarum-light," as I christened it, was so popular 
 that, in order to satisfy the great demand for it, I was 
 obliged to add a workshop to my rooms and hire several 
 workmen. Encouraged by such a favorable result, I 
 turned my attention afresh to inventions, and gave a free 
 scope to my imagination. I succeeded in making several 
 more toys, among which was one which my readers will 
 probably remember to have seen in the shop-windows. It 
 was a glass dial, mounted on a column of the same mate- 
 rial. This "mysterious clock" (as I called it), although 
 entirely transparent, indicated the hour with the greatest 
 exactness, and struck, without any apparent mechanism 
 to make it move. I also constructed several automata, 
 such as a conjurer playing with cups, a dancer on the 
 tight-rope, singing birds, &c.
 
 196 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 It may strike the reader that, with so many strings to 
 my bow, and such amusing toys to make, my situation 
 would be considerably improved, but it was not so. Each 
 day, on the contrary, produced fresh trouble in my trade 
 as well as in my household, and I even saw a financial 
 crisis approaching which I found it impossible to prevent. 
 
 The cause of this result was very simple. While en- 
 gaged with the mechanical toys I have just mentioned, I 
 still worked at my theatrical automata, for which my 
 passion had been again aroused by my present labors. 
 Like the gambler, who throws his last farthing on the 
 board, I invested all my earnings in my theatrical prepa- 
 rations, hoping these would soon repay me for my sacri- 
 fices with a hundred per cent, profit. 
 
 But it was fated that I should no sooner see the reali- 
 zation of my projects close at hand, than an unforseen 
 event should remove it again from my grasp. I had a 
 sum of two thousand francs to pay at the end of the 
 month ; I had not a penny to meet it, and I had only 
 three days left before the bill I had accepted became 
 due. 
 
 Never did an embarrassment arrive more inopportunely ! 
 I had just formed the plan of an automaton in which I 
 placed the greatest hopes. It was a " writing und draw- 
 ing automaton," answering in writing or emblematic de- 
 signs questions proposed by the spectators, and I intended 
 to employ this figure between the performances in my 
 future theatre. 
 
 Once more was I obliged to check the flight of my ima- 
 gination to absorb myself in the vulgar and difficult pro- 
 blem of meeting a bill when you have no money. I might, 
 it is true, have saved myself all trouble by applying to my 
 friends, but prudence and delicacy rendered it my duty to
 
 A FINANCIAL CRISIS. 197 
 
 pay it from my own resources. Providence, doubtlessly, 
 recognized the merit of my resolution, for she sent me a 
 saving idea. 
 
 I had sold several mechanical toys to M. G , a rich 
 
 curiosity dealer, who had always treated me with marked 
 kindness. I went to him, and gave him an exact descrip- 
 tion of my new automaton, and necessity must have ren- 
 dered me eloquent, for M. G was so satisfied that 
 
 he bought my automaton on the spot, which I bound my- 
 self to deliver to him within eighteen months. The price 
 was arranged at five thousand francs, half of which M. 
 
 G agreed to pay me in advance, reserving to himself 
 
 the right, if I failed, in my promise, of recouping 'himself 
 by purchasing several of my automatic toys. 
 
 Imagine my joy when I returned home, holding in my 
 hands the money to meet the bill ! But the prospect of 
 devoting myself for a long time to the manufacture of an 
 article satisfying my mechanical taste, rendered me even 
 happier. 
 
 Still, the princely way in which M. G had con- 
 cluded the bargain, produced some serious thoughts as to 
 the promise I had made him. I now saw a thousand ob- 
 stacles to prevent me keeping my word. I calculated 
 that, even if I devoted every moment to my work, I should 
 lose much time by causes I could not foresee or hinder. 
 There were, first, friends, customers, and bores; then a 
 family dinner, an evening party, that could not be de- 
 clined, a visit that must be paid, and so on. These claims 
 on politeness, which I must respect, would inevitably cause 
 me to break my word : in vain I racked my brain in de- 
 vising some scheme to gain time, or at least not lose it ; still, 
 I could only succeed at the expense of my good temper. 
 I therefore formed a resolution which my relations and
 
 198 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 friends declared to be madness, but from which they could 
 not turn me, and that was to exile myself voluntarily until 
 my task was completed. 
 
 Paris not appearing to me a secure place against annoy- 
 ance, I chose the suburbs as my retreat, and one fine day, 
 despite the prayers and supplications of my whole family, 
 after entrusting my business to one of my workmen, whose 
 talent and probity I was convinced of, I proceeded to 
 Belleville, and installed myself in a little room in the Rue 
 des Bois, which I hired for twelve months, at a hundred 
 francs. The only furniture was a bed, a chest of drawers, 
 a table, and a few chairs. 
 
 This act of madness, as my friends called it, or this 
 heroic determination, as I called it, saved me from immi- 
 nent ruin, and was my first step on the ladder of success. 
 From this moment an obstinate will was aroused in me 
 which enabled me to confront many obstacles and difficul- 
 ties. 
 
 I am bound to confess that the first days of my retire- 
 ment were painful, and I bitterly deplored 'the harsh ne- 
 cessity that thus isolated me from all I loved. The society 
 of my wife and children had grown a necessity to me ; a 
 kiss from these dear beings restored my courage in hours 
 of despondency, and now I was deprived of it. Surely I 
 must have been supported by an enormous strength of 
 will not to turn back at the prospect of this frightful 
 vacuum. 
 
 Many times I furtively wiped away a tear, but then I 
 closed my eyes, and straightway my automaton and the 
 various combinations that were to animate it appeared be- 
 fore me like a consoling vision ; I passed in review all the 
 wheels I had created ; I smiled upon them like so many 
 children of my own ; and when I emerged from this resto-
 
 MODEST LIVING. 199 
 
 rative dream I set to work again, filled with, a courageous 
 resignation. 
 
 It had been arranged that my wife and children should 
 epend every Thursday evening with me, and I always 
 dined at home on Sunday. These few hours devoted to 
 my family were the only amusements I allowed myself. 
 
 At my wife's request, the portress of the house had 
 agreed to prepare ray meals ; this excellent creature, an 
 old cordon bleu, had left service to marry a mason of the 
 name of Monsieur Auguste. This gentleman, judging by 
 my modest existence in the house, thought me a poor devil 
 who found some difficulty in keeping himself: hence, he 
 assumed an air of generous protection, or kindly pity 
 towards me. As he was a worthy man at the bottom, I 
 pardoned his ways, and only laughed at them. 
 
 My new cook had received special instruction to treat 
 me famously, but, not wishing to increase my household 
 expenses, I, on my side, made stipulations which were 
 kept with the greatest secresy. I arranged my meals 
 after the following fashion : Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednes- 
 days, and Thursdays I lived on an enormous dish, to which 
 my chef gave the generic name offricot, but that made no 
 difference to me. On Friday and Saturday, for the sake 
 of my health, I lived low ; haricot beans, either white or 
 red, satisfied my hunger, and with them a composite soup, 
 often reminding me of the gastronomic tastes of an Auver- 
 gnat, and I dined as well, perhaps better, than Brillat- 
 Savarin himself. 
 
 This mode of life offered me two advantages : I spent 
 little, and indigestion never troubled the clearness of my 
 ideas. I required this, however, for it must not be sup 
 posed that mechanical difficulties were the only ones I had 
 to contend against in making my automaton. My readers
 
 200 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 may judge, from the following incident, which also proves 
 the truth of the proverb, "Willing is doing." 
 
 At the commencement of my labor I had ordered from 
 a wood-carver the body, head, legs, and arms of my writer, 
 and had applied to an artist, particularly recommended to 
 me as most skillful, and I had tried to make him under- 
 stand the importance I attached to my automaton having 
 an intelligent face. My Phidias had replied that I might 
 trust to him. 
 
 A month after, my sculptor made his appearance : he 
 carefully removed the wrapper, and showed me arms and 
 legs splendidly carved, and ended by handing me the 
 head, with an air that seemed to signify, "What do you 
 think of that?" 
 
 After what I had already seen I was prepared to admire 
 a masterpiece, but imagine my stupor on observing that 
 the head belonged to a saint ! Quite astonished at this, I 
 looked at my friend as if seeking an explanation, but he 
 did not seem to understand me and continued to point 
 out all the beauties of his work. I had no good reason to 
 refuse it, for, after its fashion, it was a very fine head, so 
 I accepted it, though it could be of no use to me. At any 
 rate I wished to know the motive that induced my sculptor 
 to select such a type, and, by dint of cross-examination, I 
 learned that his special trade was carving saints, and he 
 could not emerge from his usual " groove." 
 
 After this check I applied to another artist, being care- 
 ful to inquire of him previously whether he had been in 
 the habit of carving heads of saints. In spite of my pre- 
 cautions, I only got from this artist a head bearing a 
 strong family likeness to those Nuremberg dolls made to 
 act as lay figures in studios. 
 
 I had not the courage to make a third trial ; yet, my
 
 I TURN WOOD CUTTER. 201 
 
 writer required a head, and I regarded my chefs-d'oeuvre 
 in turn. Neither could by possibility suit me. A head 
 with not the slightest expression spoiled my automaton, 
 while a holy Jerome on the body of a writer dressed in the 
 Louis XV. style would be a terrible anachronism. 
 
 "And yet the face I want is engraved here," I said, 
 striking my forehead. " What a pity I cannot carve it 
 suppose I were to try !" 
 
 It has always been my character to set about a scheme 
 as soon as I had formed it, whatever the difficulties might 
 be. Hence I took a piece of modeling wax, made it into 
 a ball, in which I formed three holes, representing mouth 
 and eyes, then sticking on a patch for a nose, I stopped 
 to admire my handiwork. 
 
 Have you ever noticed a toy belonging to earliest youth, 
 representing two blacksmiths at work on an anvil, which 
 they are made to strike in turn by pulling two parallel 
 rods? Well, those mechanical combinations, sold at one 
 penny, I believe, are perfect marvels of art in comparison 
 with my first essay in modeling. 
 
 Dissatisfied, disgusted, and almost angry, I threw my 
 clumsy attempt aside, and thought of some other plan to 
 escape my difficulty. But I have already said I am obsti- 
 nate and persevering in all I undertake, and the greater 
 the difficulty seems, the more I feel myself pledged to sur- 
 mount it. The night passed in dreams which showed me 
 my task satisfactorily accomplished, and the next morning 
 I took heart, and went at it again. In fact, by passing a 
 chisel over my ball by taking away from one side and 
 adding to the other I succeeded in making eyes, mouth, 
 and nose, which, if not regular, had at least the appear- 
 ance of a human form. 
 
 The following days were spent in fresh studies and im-
 
 202 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 provements, and each time I noticed some progress in my 
 work. Still, a moment arrived when I was terribly em- 
 barrassed. The face was regular, but that was not enough. 
 I must give it some sort of character ; but, as I had no 
 model, the task seemed beyond my strength. 
 
 The idea struck me of looking in the glass, and judging 
 from my own face what features produce expression. Sit- 
 ting down, then, as if writing, I studied my full face and 
 profile, and tried to imitate what I saw. I was engaged 
 at this task a long while, incessantly touching and re- 
 touching, until one fine day I found my work finished, and 
 I stopped to look at it more attentively. Judge of my 
 surprise on finding that I had unconsciously produced an 
 exact likeness of myself. Far from being vexed at this 
 unexpected result, I was pleased, for it was quite natural 
 this child of my imagination should have my features. I 
 was not sorry to place this family seal on a work to which 
 I attached such importance. 
 
 I had been now living for more than a year at Belle- 
 ville, and I saw with extreme pleasure the end of my task 
 and of my exile drawing near. After many doubts as to 
 the success of my enterprise, the solemn moment arrived 
 when I should make the first trial of my writer. I had 
 spent the whole day in giving the last touches to the au- 
 tomaton, which sat before me as if awaiting my orders, 
 and prepared to answer the questions I asked it. I had 
 only to press the spring in order to enjoy the long awaited 
 result. My heart beat violently, and though I was alone, 
 I trembled with emotion at the mere thought of this im- 
 posing trial. 
 
 I had just laid the first sheet of paper before my writer, 
 and asked him this question : 
 
 "Who is the author of your being?"
 
 ;A HAPPY MOMENT. 203 
 
 I pressed the spring, and the clockwork began acting. 
 I dared hardly breathe through fear of disturbing the ope- 
 rations. The automaton bowed to me, and I could not 
 refrain from smiling on it as my own son. But when I 
 saw the eyes fix an attentive glance on the paper when 
 the arm, a few seconds before numb and lifeless, began to 
 move and trace my signature in a firm handwriting the 
 tears started to my eyes, and I fervently thanked Heaven 
 for granting me such success. And it was not alone the 
 satisfaction I experienced as inventor, but the certainty I 
 had of being able to restore some degree of comfort to my 
 family, that caused my deep feeling of gratitude. 
 
 After making my Sosia repeat my signature a thousand 
 times, I gave it this next question : " What o'clock is 
 it?" 
 
 The automaton, acting in obedience to a clock, wrote : 
 "It is two in the morning." 
 
 This was a very timely warning. I profited by it, and 
 went straight to bed. Against my expectations, I enjoyed 
 a sleep I had not known for a long time. 
 
 There may be among those who read my book some who 
 have also created some successful work. They will know 
 that next to the happiness of enjoying one's own invention, 
 nothing is so flattering as to offer it to the notice of a third 
 party. Moliere and J. J. Rousseau consulted their ser- 
 vants, and, I must confess, it afforded me great pleasure 
 the next morning to invite my portress and her husband 
 to be present at the first performance of my writer. 
 
 As it was Sunday, and M. Auguste had no work to do, 
 I found him at breakfast. He held a modest sardine with 
 his thumb on a piece of bread,- while in the other hand he 
 had a knife, the handle of which was fastened to his waist 
 by a lanyard. My invitation was graciously accepted,
 
 204 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 and they came to my room to witness the aristocratic per- 
 formance of a nobleman of the age of Louis XV. The 
 mason's wife chose this question : " What is the emblem 
 of fidelity ?" The automaton replied by drawing a pretty 
 little greyhound lying on a cushion. Madame Auguste, 
 quite delighted, begged me to make her a present of the 
 drawing, while her husband, having by this time finished 
 his breakfast, begged to see the work, for, as he said, 
 
 "I understand something about that sort of thing, for I 
 have always to grease the vane on the church steeple, and 
 have even taken it down twice. Ah ! if I were to direct 
 my attention to mechanics, I have no doubt I should be 
 very successful." 
 
 Although, of course, he understood nothing of what he 
 saw, the worthy mason carefully examined the mechanical 
 arrangements ; then, as if yielding to an impulsive frank- 
 ness, he said, in a kindly protecting tone, 
 
 " If I was not afraid of vexing you, I would make an 
 observation." 
 
 " Pray do so, Monsieur Auguste, and be sure I shall treat 
 it as it deserves." 
 
 "Well, in your place, I would have made the mechan- 
 ism much more simple ; for then those who do not under- 
 stand that sort of thing, would be able to do so more 
 easily." 
 
 With some difficulty I maintained sufficient gravity to 
 reply : 
 
 " Your observation is very just, Monsieur Auguste ; I 
 had not thought of that : but be assured I shall now profit 
 by your suggestions, and speedily remove half the ma- 
 chinery; there will be quite sufficient left." 
 
 "Oh, certainly," the mason said, believing in the sin- 
 cerity of my remarks, " there will be quite enough left 
 then."
 
 A SEVERE CRITIC. 205 
 
 At this moment the garden-bell rang, and M. Auguste, 
 ever attentive to his duties, ran to answer it, ana as his 
 wife also took her departure, I was enabled to laugh at my 
 ease. 
 
 It is curious that an automaton which was visited by all 
 Paris and gained me such reputation that the designer, 
 which interested Louis Philippe and his family so greatly, 
 should at the outset only receive the stupid criticism of a 
 porter. Well, a man is no more a prophet in his own 
 house than in his own country. 
 
 It was more extraordinary, though, that I had eventu- 
 ally to make an alteration in the automaton for the follow- 
 ing reasons : the public (I do not mean the educated por- 
 tion) generally understand nothing of the mechanical 
 effects by which an automaton is moved ; but they are 
 pleased to see them, and often only value them by the 
 multiplicity of their parts. I had taken every care to 
 render the mechanism of my writer as perfect as possible, 
 and had set great store on making the clockwork noiseless, 
 In doing this I wished to imitate nature, whose compli- 
 cated instruments act almost imperceptibly. 
 
 Can it be credited that this very perfection, which I had 
 worked so hard to attain, was unfavorable to my automa- 
 ton ? On its first exhibition, I frequently heard persons 
 who only saw the outside, say : 
 
 " That writer is first rate ; but the mechanism is prob- 
 ably very simple. It often requires such a trifle to pro- 
 duce great results." 
 
 The idea then struck me of rendering the clock-work a 
 little less perfect, so that a whizzing sound should be 
 heard, something like cotton spinning. Then the worthy 
 public formed a very different estimate of my work, and 
 the admiration increased in ratio to the intensity of the
 
 206 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 noise. Such exclamations as these where continually 
 heard : " How ingenious ! What complicated machinery ! 
 What talent such combination must require !" 
 
 In order to obtain this result, I had rendered my auto- 
 maton less perfect ; and I was wrong. In this I followed 
 the example of certain actors who overdo their parts in 
 order to produce a greater effect. They raise a laugh, 
 but they infringe the rules of art and are rarely ranked 
 among first-rate artists. Eventually, I got over my sus- 
 ceptibility, and my machine was restored to its first con- 
 dition. 
 
 My writer thus finished, I could have ended my volun- 
 tary imprisonment if I pleased ; but I wished to finish 
 another automaton, for which a residence in the country 
 would be requisite. Although this second automaton was 
 very complicated, it did not so fully occupy my time as 
 the first. It was a nightingale, which a rich merchant of 
 St. Petersburg had ordered, and I had agreed to produce 
 a perfect imitation of the song and actions of this delight- 
 ful wood minstrel. 
 
 This undertaking offered some serious difficulties ; for 
 though I had already made several birds, their singing 
 was quite arbitrary, and I had only consulted my own 
 taste in arranging it. The imitation of the nightingale's 
 pipe was much more delicate, for I had to copy notes and 
 sounds which were almost inimitable. 
 
 Fortunately, we were in the season when this skillful 
 songster utters his delicious accents ; hence, I could employ 
 him as my teacher. I went constantly to the wood of 
 Romainville, the skirt of which almost joined the street in 
 which I lived, and, laying myself on a soft bed of moss in 
 the densest foliage, I challenged my master to give me 
 lessons. (The nightingale sings both by night and day in
 
 THE NIGHTINGALE'S SONG. 207 
 
 Continental Europe, and the slightest whistle, in tune or 
 not, makes him strike up directly.) 
 
 I wanted to imprint on my memory the musical phrases 
 with which the bird composes its melodies. The following 
 are the most striking among them ; tiou-tiou-tiou, ut-ut-ut- 
 tit-ut, tchit-chou, tchit-chou, tchit-tchit, rrrrrrm-rrrouit, $c. 
 I had to analyse these strange sounds, these numberless 
 chirps, these impossible rrrrouits, and recompose them by 
 a musical process. Now, here was the difficulty. I only 
 knew so much of music as a natural taste had taught me, 
 and my knowledge of harmony was hence a very feeble 
 resource. I must add that in order to imitate this flexi- 
 bility of throat, and produce these harmonious modulations, 
 I had a small copper tube, about the size and length of 
 a quill, in which a steel piston moving very freely, pro- 
 duced the different sounds I required ; this tube represent- 
 ed in some respects the nightingale's throat. 
 
 This instrument would have to work mechanically ; clock 
 work set in motion the bellows, opened or closed a valve 
 which produced the twittering, the modulation, and the 
 sliding notes, while it guided the piston according to the 
 different degrees of speed and depth I wanted to reach. 
 
 I had also to impart motion to the bird : it must move 
 its beak in accordance with the sounds it produced, flap its 
 wings, leap from branch to branch, &c. But this part of 
 my task troubled me much less than the other, as it was 
 purely mechanical. 
 
 I will not attempt to describe to the reader all the trials 
 and investigations I had to make ; suffice it to say that, 
 after repeated experiments, I created a system, half 
 musical, half mechanical, which only required to be im- 
 proved by fresh studies. Provided with this instrument, 
 I hurried off to the wood of Romainville, where I seated
 
 208 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 myself under an oak, near which I had often heard a 
 nightingale sing, which I thought was the "star" among 
 the virtuosi. I wound up the clockwork, and it began 
 playing in the midst of profound silence ; but the last 
 notes had scarce died away ere a concert commenced from 
 various parts of the wood, which I was almost inclined to 
 regard as a general protest against my clumsy imitation. 
 
 This collective lesson did not suit my purpose, for I 
 wished to compare and study, and could positively distin- 
 guish nothing. Fortunately for me, all the mus, ; ans 
 ceased, as if by word of command, and one of them beg-in 
 a solo : it was doubtlessly the premier sujet, the Duprez of 
 the company possibly the nightingale I have just men- 
 tioned. This tenor indulged me with a succession of dul- 
 cet sounds and accents, which I followed with all the at- 
 tention of an industrious pupil. 
 
 Thus I passed a portion of the night ; my professor was 
 indefatigable, and, for my part, I was not weary of listen- 
 ing. At length we were obliged to part, for, in spite of 
 the pleasure I felt, I began to grow chilly and sleepy. 
 However, my lesson had done me so much good, that the 
 next morning I began making important corrections in my 
 mechanism. After five or six more visits to the wood, I 
 attained the required result the nightingale's song was 
 perfectly imitated. 
 
 After eighteen months' stay at Belleville, I at length 
 returned home to enjoy the company of my wife and 
 children ; in my absence my business had prospered, and 
 I, by the manufacture of my two automata, had gained 
 the enormous sum of seven thousand francs. 
 
 Seven thousand francs by making filings, as my father 
 used to say. Unfortunately, that excellent man could not 
 enjoy the beginning of my success I had lost him a
 
 MY RETURN HOME. 209 
 
 short time before the reverse of my fortune. With his 
 love for mechanical inventions, how proud he would have 
 been of my successes ! 
 
 Having thus regained a certain degree of comfort, I 
 was now able to enjoy some amusement, and visit my 
 friends, among them Antonio, who could not blame me for 
 deserting him so long. In our long conversations my 
 friend never ceased to encourage me to realize the projects 
 he had suggested I mean my theatrical schemes, of 
 which he predicted the certain success. 
 
 While not neglecting my work, I had recommenced my 
 conjuring exercises, and began to make the acquaintance 
 of several conjurers. I also wished to see those ingenious 
 personages who, not having a theatre to display their 
 talents in, visit the cafe's. Such men as these are obliged 
 to employ an extraordinary degree of skill, for they have 
 to deal with people who are set upon detecting them. I 
 met several interesting specimens from whom I learned 
 something ; but a slight adventure soon told me I must be 
 on my guard in the choice of my acquaintances. 
 
 A conjurer, whom I had formerly met at Roujol's, and 
 to whom I had rendered a service, introduced me one day 
 
 to a person by the name of D . He was a young 
 
 man of prepossessing appearance and very elegantly 
 dressed, while his manners evidenced the thorough gentle- 
 man. 
 
 "My friend tells me, sir," he said, after the usual salu- 
 tations, " that you are in search of a person possessing a 
 certain degree of address. Although I have no wish to 
 compliment myself, I may be able to show many things 
 you do not know." 
 
 "I ace6pt your offer willingly," I replied, "but I must 
 tell you before hand I am not a novice." 
 

 
 210 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. i 
 
 This introduction took place in my study, and we sat 
 down to a table on which refreshments were served. This 
 was a trap by which I intended to make my visitor more 
 communicative. I then took up a pack of cards, and 
 showed him my dexterity in sauter la coupe and various 
 other tricks. 
 
 I was watching D to observe the impression I pro- 
 duced on him, and after a few moments' careful following 
 my hands, he gave his comrade a gentle wink, of which I 
 did not understand the meaning. I stopped for a moment, 
 and not wishing to ask a direct explanation, I opened 
 a bottle of Bordeaux, and filled his glass several times. 
 This scheme was successful, and the wine loosened his 
 tongue, and he told me something that surprised me. 
 
 " I have a remark to make, M. Robert-Houdin," he 
 said, emptying his glass, and holding it out to be filled 
 again : " I thought I had come here to deal with what we 
 call a ' pigeon ;' I perceive it is quite otherwise, and as I 
 do not wish to expose the tricks by which I earn my live- 
 lihood, I will content myself with the pleasure of having 
 formed your acquaintance." 
 
 The technical terms seemed to me a startling contrast 
 to my visitor's elegant manners, still, as I did not wish to 
 give in yet, I said, in a tone of disappointment, 
 
 " I hope, sir, you will recall your decision, and not leave 
 me till you have shown me how you handle the cards. 
 You can do this without prejudice, I think ?" 
 
 To my great satisfaction he at length consented. 
 
 " Very well," he said, taking up a pack of cards ; " but 
 you will see our modes of ' working ' do not agree." 
 
 It would be difficult for me to give a name to what he 
 performed in my presence. It was not, properly speak- 
 ing, sleight-of-hand ; but they were tricks and processes
 
 A "PIGEON" FANCIER. 211 
 
 applied to cards, and were so unexpected, that they must 
 deceive everybody. This manipulation was only an exhi- 
 bition, however, of certain principles I learned at a later 
 date. 
 
 Like singers who begin by being urged, and who, when 
 
 they have once started, cannot leave off, D , animated 
 
 both by the sincere praise I offered him and the great 
 number of glasses of Bordeaux he had swallowed, said to 
 me with that frankness common to drinkers, " And now, 
 sir, I will give you another hint. I am not a professor of 
 sleight-of-hand, but only perform a few tricks I show to 
 amateurs. These lessons, you can understand, would not 
 suffice for my livelihood, and I will tell you, then," he 
 added, emptying his glass again, and holding it out to be 
 filled, as if he wished me to pay for his confidence, " I 
 visit in the evening houses where I have managed to gain 
 an introduction, and profit by some of the principles I 
 have just shown you." 
 
 "I suppose you give a performance ?" D smiled 
 
 slightly, and repeated the wink he had once before given 
 his comrade. 
 
 " Performances !" he replied. " Never ! or rather, I 
 give them after my own fashion ; I will explain that to 
 you presently, but I will first amuse you by telling you 
 how I manage to get a handsome prize for the lessons I 
 give my amateurs ; after that I will return to my per- 
 formances. 
 
 " You can suppose, for reasons easy to understand that 
 I only give lessons to young men whose pockets I presume 
 are well lined. On beginning my explanations I tell my 
 pupil that I leave my price to him, and during the lesson 
 I perform an interlude which must heighten his generosity. 
 
 " Drawing near my pigeon pray pardon the word "
 
 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 "I have already done so." 
 
 " Ah, very good ; I beg your pardon. I say, taking 
 one of his buttons in my hand, ' Here is a mould piercing 
 the cloth, and you might lose it.' 
 
 " At the same time I throw a Louis on the table ; then 
 I examine his buttons, one after the other, and pretend to 
 draw a gold piece from each. As I only perform this 
 trick as a harmless pleasantry, I pick up my gold with the 
 greatest indifference. I even push my indifference so far 
 as to leave one or two by mistake on the table, but only 
 for a short time, of course. 
 
 " I continue my lesson, and, as I expected, my pupil 
 pays but slight attention to it, being fully engaged with 
 the reflections I have so skillfully suggested. Can he 
 offer five francs to a man who appears to have his pocket 
 full of gold ? Of course not ; the least he can do is to add 
 one more piece to those I had displayed, and that always 
 happens. 
 
 " Like a modern Bias, then, I carry all my fortune about 
 me ; I am sometimes tolerably rich, and then my pockets 
 are well lined. Often enough, too, I am reduced to a dozen 
 of these 'yellow boys,' but them I never touch, as they 
 are the instruments by which I procure others. Many 
 times I have gone without my dinner, though having this 
 email fortune in my pocket, because I laid it down as a 
 rule not to break into it." 
 
 " The performances you give in society," I said to my 
 narrator, in order to bring him back to that point, " are 
 of course more lucrative ?" 
 
 " They are so, but prudence prevents me giving them 
 so often as I should like." 
 
 " I do not understand you." 
 
 " I will explain my meaning. When I am in society I
 
 A MODERN GREEK. 213 
 
 am a young man of good family, and, like all young men, 
 play. The only difference is, I have my own way of play- 
 ing, which is not that of all the world, but it seems it is 
 not bad, because it often renders chances favorable. You 
 shall judge." 
 
 Here my narrator stopped to refresh himself, then, as 
 if doing the most legal or harmless thing in the world, he 
 showed me several tricks, or rather acts of swindling, 
 which he executed with so much grace, skill, and simpli- 
 city, that it would be impossible to detect him. 
 
 In order to understand the effect these culpable confes- 
 sions produced upon me, my readers ought to know what 
 it is to love a science of which you seek to solve the mys- 
 teries. Far from feeling repugnance or even disgust at 
 this man with whom justice would have one day an account 
 to settle, I admired, I was stunned ! The finesse and per- 
 fection of his tricks made me forget their blameworthy 
 application. 
 
 At length my Greek left me, and so soon as he was gone 
 the remembrance of his confessions sent the blood to my 
 cheeks. I was as ashamed of myself as if I had been his 
 accomplice. I even reproached myself severely for the 
 admiration I could not restrain, and the compliments it 
 extorted from me. In some measure to compound with 
 my conscience, I ordered my door to be closed against this 
 man ; but it was an unnecessary precaution I never 
 heard of him again. 
 
 Strangely enough, in consequence of my meeting with 
 
 D , and the revelations he had made me, I was enabled, 
 
 at a later period, to render a service to society by unmask- 
 ing a piece of swindling which the most skillful experts 
 could not detect. 
 
 In 1849, M. B , a magistrate belonging to the police
 
 214 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 office of the Seine, begged me to examine and verify one 
 hundred and fifty packs of cards, seized in the possession 
 of a man whose antecedents were far from being as un- 
 blemished as his cards. The latter, indeed, were perfectly 
 white, and this peculiarity had hitherto foiled the most 
 minute investigation. It was impossible for the most 
 practised eye to detect the least alteration or the slightest 
 mark, and they all seemed very respectable packs of cards. 
 
 I consented to examine the cards, as I hoped to detect 
 a manoeuvre which must be clever as it was so carefully 
 concealed. I could only do so after my performance was 
 over, and so each night, before going to bed, I sat down 
 with a bright lamp, and remained at my task till sleep or 
 want of success routed me from my post. 
 
 Thus I spent nearly a fortnight, examining, both with 
 my eyes and a strong magnifying-glass, the form and im- 
 perceptible varieties in the cards composing the one hun- 
 dred and fifty packs. I could detect nothing, and, weary 
 of the job, I began to agree in the opinion of the previous 
 experts. 
 
 "I am sure there is nothing the matter with these 
 cards," I said one night, angrily, as I threw them across 
 the table. 
 
 Suddenly I fancied I noticed a pale spot on the glis- 
 tening back of these cards, and near one of the corners. 
 I stepped forward, and it disappeared, but, strangely 
 enough, it reappeared as I fell back. 
 
 "What a magnificent dodge!" I exclaimed, in my en- 
 thusiasm. "I have it: that is a distinguishing mark." 
 
 And following a certain principle which D had ex- 
 plained to me, I assured myself that all the cards pos- 
 sessed a mark, which, according to its position, indicated 
 the value and color.
 
 A CLEVER TRICK. 215 
 
 For the last quarter of an hour I have been burning 
 with a desire to explain to my readers a most interesting 
 process, but I am restrained by the fear that this ingenious 
 swindling may facilitate false play. Still, it is an indubi- 
 table truth, "that to avoid a danger, it must be known." 
 Hence, if every player were initiated into the stratagems 
 of the card-swindlers, the latter would find it impossible 
 to employ them. 
 
 I am, therefore, inclined to make the communication I 
 have stated, that a single mark placed in a certain part of 
 a card is sufficient to make it known. To explain this, I 
 must employ a diagram :
 
 216 
 
 MEMOIRS OP ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 DIAGRAM 1. 
 
 o 
 
 tJO 
 
 3 
 <B 
 
 O 
 
 cs 
 
 a 
 
 Hearts..... 
 Diamonds . 
 
 Clubs 
 
 Spades 
 
 Suppose a card divided into eight parts vertically, and 
 four horizontally, as in diagram 1 ; the former will indi- 
 cate the value of the cards, the latter the suit. The mark 
 is placed at the point where two lines intersect. Such is 
 the process : practice does the rest. b b 
 
 As for the process employed in impressing the myste- 
 rious mark I have mentioned, I may be excused from
 
 THE WAY TO WIN. 217 
 
 stating it, as my object is to expose swindling, and not 
 show the way to do it. Suffice it to say that, looked at 
 closely, this point is lost in the white of the card ; but, at 
 a distance, the light renders the card brilliant, while the 
 mark alone remains dull. 
 
 At the first blush, it will appear, perhaps, rather difficult 
 to find out the division to which the isolated dot on tho 
 back of the card belongs. Still, by a little attention, it 
 may be accurately detected by a practised eye. Thus, 
 on my diagram, the dot indicates the Queen of Diamonds. 
 
 It must be remembered that a Greek using these cards 
 stakes, I will not say his honor but, his liberty, against 
 fortune, and that he has carefully studied an art on which 
 his livelihood depends. 
 
 After the explanation I have given, I can easily imagine 
 my reader forming an heroic determination. 
 
 " Since these things take place," he says to himself, 
 *' I will only play with chequered cards, and so I shall be 
 safe." 
 
 Unfortunately, chequered cards are better adapted for 
 swindling purposes than the others, and to prove it, I 
 must employ another diagram. Suppose the chequer to 
 be formed of dots or any other figures regularly arranged, 
 as is usually the case with fancy backed cards :
 
 218 
 
 MEMOIRS OF EOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 DIAGRAM 2. 
 
 O 
 
 the first dot, starting from the left-hand top of the card, 
 as in the previous diagram, will represent hearts ; the 
 second, downwards, diamonds ; the third, clubs ; and the 
 fourth, spades. If, now, another small dot is placed by 
 the side of one of these chequers, it will indicate the 
 value of the card. This dot must be placed in one of the 
 divisions marked in a king; the third, a 
 
 fig. 3. The topmost ,^|& queen ; the fourth, a 
 point indicates an ace ; -.^i^ knave ; and so on. Of 
 the next, to the right, course, a single dot, as 
 
 in fig. 2, when it is placed by the third point or color, in- 
 dicates the eight of clubs. 
 
 There are many other arrangements, but they are more
 
 HINTS FOR SHARPERS. 219 
 
 difficult to explain than to understand. Thus I have had 
 chequered cards given me to inspect "which had had no 
 mark at all on them, but the pattern was more or less 
 altered by the way in which the cards were shaped, and 
 this simple peculiarity indicated them all. 
 
 There are also the cards on the edge of which the Greek, 
 when playing, makes a mark with his thumb-nail, which 
 he can detect as they pass through his hands. If he is 
 playing ecarte", the kings are thus marked, and when these 
 pass through his fingers, he can, by a familiar trick, leave 
 them on the pack and deal the next card. This substitu- 
 tion can be done so cleverly that it is impossible to detect 
 it. I have also met persons of such practised sight that, 
 after playing two or three games with a pack, they could 
 recognize every card. 
 
 Returning to the prepared cards, it may be asked how 
 it is possible to change the cards, for in all society where 
 play goes on the cards are only taken out of the paper 
 just before beginning. 
 
 Well ! this is simple enough. The Greek finds out at 
 what shop these houses buy their cards : at first he will 
 make some small purchases, so that he may be regarded 
 as a regular customer : then, on one fine day, he says that 
 a friend has commissioned him to buy a dozen packets of 
 packs. The next day these are brought back under the 
 pretext that they are not of the color required, and as the 
 packets are still sealed, the tradesman, full of confidence, 
 changes them for others. 
 
 But the Greek has spent the night in undoing the bands 
 and sealing them up again by a process known to conju- 
 rers ; the cards have been all marked and properly ar- 
 ranged, and as the tradesman has them now in his shop, 
 the trick is accomplished. Before long, they will reach 
 the house where they are wanted.
 
 220 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 All these swindling arts are very shocking, but there is 
 another even more so in the shape of " imperceptible tele- 
 graphy." Without the slightest appearance of collusion, 
 a Greek can tell his partner every card his opponent 
 holds in his hand by a system similar to that of my " second 
 sight." 
 
 I could describe many other tricks, but I will stop here. 
 1 believe I have said enough about card-sharpers and their 
 swindling to induce a person never to sit down but with 
 persons whose honor is unimpeachable.
 
 THE FIRST MAGICIAN. 21 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The Inventive Genius of a Sugar-baker Philippe the Magician His 
 Comic Adventures Description of his Performance Exposition of 
 1844 The King and Royal Family visit my Automata. 
 
 THE long looked-for change in my fortunes had at 
 length arrived ; my automata had gained me a certain 
 degree of reputation, and I was making arrangements to 
 commence my performances. Before describing these, I 
 must devote a few pages, however, to some account of my 
 immediate predecessor in the conjuring art, whose success 
 in Paris at this period was most brilliant : I mean Philippe, 
 the renowned magician, sorcerer, sleight-of-hand per- 
 former, and conjurer. 
 
 Philippe Talon was born at Alais, near Nimes; after 
 having carried on his sweet trade of confectioner for some 
 time in Paris, his want of success compelled him to expa- 
 triate himself. London, that pays de Cocagne, the per- 
 spective El Dorado, was close at hand ; so our tradesman 
 proceeded thither, and soon set up again in trade in the 
 capital of the United Kingdom. The French confectioner 
 had fair chance of success, for in addition to the English 
 liking for sweet-stuff, French confectionary has ever en- 
 joyed a reputation in that country, only comparable with 
 that which real English blacking has so long held in 
 France. Still, despite these advantages, it seems that 
 fresh difficulties arose ; the fogs of the Thames, or, as
 
 222 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 some say, dangerous speculations, melted the fragile 
 wares ; the comfitures suffered a decided discomfiture. 
 
 Talon packed up a second time and went to Aberdeen, 
 to ask shelter from the Scotch mountaineers, to whom he 
 offered in exchange his seductive cates. Unfortunately, 
 the Scotch of Aberdeen, differing greatly from the moun- 
 taineers in La Dame Blanche, wear neither silk stockings 
 nor patent leather shoes, and consume very few jujubes 
 and tarts. Thus, the new shop would soon have under- 
 gone the fate of the other two, had not Talon's inventive 
 genius found an issue from this precarious position. 
 
 The confectioner rightly thought that, in order to sell 
 wares, they must be known ; and in order for them to be 
 known, they must be made known. Relying on this judi- 
 cious reasoning, Talon soon compelled the Aberdonians to 
 eat his sugar-plums, and, better still, to pay for them. 
 
 At this period, there was a company of actors at Aber- 
 deen much in the same condition as Talon's "goodies;" 
 they were neglected, and no one cared to tfy them. In 
 vain had the manager prepared a pantomime full of tricks 
 and blue-fire, the public remained deaf to his repeated 
 appeals. 
 
 One fine day, Talon called on the Scotch impresario: 
 "I have a proposal to make to you, sir," he said, without 
 further- preface, "which, if accepted, will fill your theatre, 
 I am convinced." 
 
 " Pray explain yourself, sir," the manager said, nib- 
 bling at the bait, but putting little faith in a promise 
 which he had good reasons for believing difficult of reali- 
 zation. 
 
 " It is simply," Talon continued, " to join to the attrac- 
 tion of your performance a lottery, for which I will pay all 
 the cost. This shall be the arrangement : each spectator,
 
 A NOVEL LOTTERY. 223 
 
 on entering, must pay, in addition, the sum of sixpence, 
 giving him a claim 
 
 " 1. To a paper of mixed sugar-plums. 
 
 " 2. To a lottery-ticket, by which he may gain the first 
 prize, of the value of five pounds." 
 
 Talon also promised a new performance, the secret of 
 which he confided to the manager under the seal of dis- 
 cretion. 
 
 These proposals being accepted, the bargain was soon 
 completed, and the intelligent Talon had not deceived him- 
 self. The public attracted by the bonbons, the pantomime, 
 and the promised surprise, filled the theatre. 
 
 The lottery was drawn ; the prize made one person 
 happy, and the other twelve or fifteen hundred spectators, 
 provided with their papers of sugar-plums, consoled their 
 disappointment by exchanging their "goodies." Under 
 such favorable circumstances the pantomime was found 
 charming. 
 
 Still, this piece was drawing to its close, and the pro- 
 mised surprise had not yet come off, when suddenly the 
 dancers in the ballet arranged themselves in a circle, a 
 sharp cry was heard, and a magnificent Punch bounded 
 on to the stage. It was Talon disguised by two cotton 
 humps and the traditional costume. 
 
 Our new artist performed Punch's eccentric dance with 
 rare talent, and was heartily applauded. To thank the 
 audience for their kind reception, the dancer tried to make 
 a bow, but managed it so clumsily that he fell over on his 
 side and could not rise again. The performers hastened 
 to pick the wounded man up ; he spoke in a faint voice, 
 and complained of a broken rib. He earnestly asked for 
 a box of Morrison's pills, and a servant hastened to bring 
 him pills of an enormous size.
 
 224 , MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOTJDIN. 
 
 The public, who till then had pitied poor Punch's pain, 
 and remained silent sympathisers, now began to scent a 
 jest. First they smiled, and then they laughed when the 
 patient, taking one of the pills, pretended to swallow it. 
 Half a dozen having followed the same road, Punch found 
 himself perfectly recovered, so, making a polite bow, he 
 retired amidst shouts of laughter. 
 
 Philippe had given his first performance the confec- 
 tioner had exchanged the barley-sugar trick for the ma- 
 gician's wand. 
 
 This burlesque scene met with extraordinary success, 
 and the receipts swelled day by day, until the confectioner 
 had disposed of all his wares. Then he set off to give a 
 specimen of his new talent in other towns. 
 
 I do not know whence the new magician acquired his 
 art, but it is probable (historical gaps are always filled up 
 with probabilities) that Talon had learned conjuring, as he 
 had Punch's dance, to amuse his friends. One thing is 
 certain, the performance he offered the worthy Aber- 
 donians was not first rate, and it was not till he left that 
 town that he made the great improvement to which he 
 owed his future reputation. 
 
 Henceforth, laying aside his comfitures and Punch's 
 garb and squeak, Philippe (the name the conjurer assumed) 
 traversed England, giving at first very modest perform- 
 ances. Then, his repertory becoming gradually increased 
 by a certain number of tricks he picked up from conjurers 
 of the day, he attacked the large towns, and proceeded to 
 Glasgow, where he built a wooden theatre in which to give 
 his performances. 
 
 While the magic temple was building, Philippe noticed 
 among the bricklayer's lads a young fellow who seemed to 
 have remarkable intelligence, and he eventually engaged
 
 A "FILLER" OP THE STATE. 225 
 
 him to appear on the stage as assistant magician. Macal- 
 ister (as his assistant was called) had a natural genius for 
 tricks and models; he required no apprenticeship in this 
 mysterious art, and indeed soon invented some tricks 
 which attracted his master's attention. 
 
 From this moment, either by Macalister's help or for 
 some other reason, success attended Philippe everywhere, 
 and he began acting in theatres. After a lengthened tour 
 through England he crossed over to Dublin, where he ac- 
 quired two new tricks, which were the foundation of his 
 future reputation. 
 
 Three Chinese, who had come to France to perform 
 some very startling tricks, attempted some performances 
 at Paris, which, owing to their ill success, caused a quarrel 
 among the Celestials. In France as well as in China, 
 " horses fight when there is no hay in the manger," and, 
 though our jugglers did not have recourse to such extremi- 
 ties, they separated. One of them proceeded to Dublin, 
 where he taught Philippe the "gold-fish" trick, as well as 
 the " rings." On learning the first of these tricks, Philippe 
 was in great trouble about performing it, for he wanted a 
 robe. He could not assume a Chinese costume, as his face 
 had none of the distinguishing features of a mandarin, nor 
 could he dream of a dressing-gown, for however rich it might 
 have been, the public would not have endured such a slight. 
 Hence Philippe extricated himself from the difficulty by 
 assuming the attire of a magician. It was a daring inno- 
 vation, for, till that period, no conjurer had ventured to 
 take on himself the responsibility of such a costume. 
 
 Once possessed of these two tricks, Philippe formed tho 
 project of returning to his ungrateful country ; he, there- 
 fore, came to Paris in the summer of 1841, and performed 
 at the Salle Montesquieu. The gold-fish and ring tricks, 
 
 p
 
 226 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOTJDIN. 
 
 a brilliant costume, a magnificent pointed cap, and a com- 
 fortably arranged room, soon attracted large audiences, 
 among whom was the manager of a Vienna theatre. 
 Delighted with the performance, the latter on the spot 
 offered the conjurer an engagement at half profits, which 
 Philippe willingly accepted. As the Salle Montesquieu 
 was used for public balls during the winter, this engage- 
 ment also allowed him time to have a theatre constructed 
 in readiness for his return to Paris. 
 
 The opening of the room Bonne-Nouvelle created a sen- 
 sation in Paris when Philippe came back from his Austrian 
 tour, and crowds we"nt to see the gold-fish trick, which the 
 performances in the Salle Montesquieu had made known. 
 
 My reader will have the kindness to accompany me to 
 the Palais des Prestiges (as the new temple of magic was 
 christened), and we will attend one of the magician's per- 
 formances. 
 
 On reaching the end of the first-floor passage in the 
 Bonne-Nouvelle Bazaar, you passed through a doorway, 
 and were quite surprised to find yourself in a room excel- 
 lently adapted for this style of performance. There were 
 stalls, pit, gallery, and boxes ; the decorations were most 
 elegant, and, above all, there was plenty of room to stretch 
 your legs. 
 
 An orchestra composed of six musicians of doubtful 
 talent executed a symphony to the accompaniment of the 
 melophone, a species of accordeon recently invented by a 
 man of the name of Leclerc, who undertook the musical 
 arrangements of the palace. 
 
 The curtain rises. 
 
 To the great surprise of the spectators the stage is in 
 perfect darkness. 
 
 A gentleman dressed in black emerges from a side door
 
 A MAGIC ILLUMINATION. 227 
 
 and walks towards us. It is Philippe : I recognise him 
 by the Proven9al twang of his accent. All the other spec- 
 tators take him for the manager, and fear they are about 
 to hear some painful intelligence, as this gentleman holds 
 a pistol in his hand. 
 
 Their uncertainty is, however, soon dispelled, for Philippe 
 introduces himself. He states that he has been delayed in 
 his preparations, but, in order to save time, he will light 
 the innumerable candles on his stage by firing a pistol. 
 Although a fire-arm is not required for the experiment, 
 and is only intended to throw powder in the spectators' 
 eyes, the candles are suddenly lighted at the sound of the 
 detonation. 
 
 The audience applaud vociferously, and deservedly so, 
 for this trick is remarkably striking. However much it 
 may be applauded, the time it requires for preparation, 
 and the mortal terror it occasions the performer, are 
 beyond recompense. 
 
 In fact, like all experiments in which static electricity 
 plays the chief part, this magic inflammation is not infalli- 
 ble. When this misfortune occurs, the position of the 
 operator is the more embarrassing, as the phenomenon has 
 been announced as the result of magic. Now, a magician 
 must be omnipotent, or, if he be not so, he must avoid 
 at all risks any failure which may lower his prestige in 
 the eyes of the audience. 
 
 The stage once lighted, Philippe commenced his per- 
 formance. The first part, composed of very average 
 tricks, was relieved by the manoeuvres of some curious 
 automata. For instance: 
 
 The Cotsack, which should have been called the Grima- 
 cer, so quaint were the contortions in which it indulged. 
 This Cossack was also a very clever juggler, for it passed
 
 228 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 into its pocket with considerable skill various articles of 
 jewelry its master had borrowed from the spectators. 
 
 The magic peacock, which uttered its unmelodious 
 screech, expanded its gorgeous plumes, fed from its 
 master's hand, &c. 
 
 And lastly, a Harlequin, like the one I repaired for 
 Torrini. 
 
 After the first part of the performance, the curtain fell 
 to enable preparations to be made for a scene called in the 
 bills, U A Festival at a Palace in Nankin." This was an 
 attractive title for those who dealt in that description of 
 cloth, but was only chosen to call to the spectator's 
 memory the Chinese trick, which would end the perform- 
 ance. 
 
 When the curtain rose again the stage was entirely 
 transformed. The tablecloths had been replaced by bro- 
 cades glistening with gold and precious stones (at least, 
 they looked so at a distance) ; the can'dles, although so 
 numerous before, had been multiplied, and gave the stage 
 the appearance of a fiery furnace, the veritable abode of 
 an ally of the Evil One. 
 
 The magician made his appearance in a costume which, 
 in the public admiration, it must have exhausted the riches 
 of Golconda to buy, and the Festival of Nankin commenced 
 with the very clever trick derived from the Chinese. 
 
 Philippe took up several rings about eight inches in dia- 
 meter, and intertwined them into chains and knots with 
 the greatest possible ease. Then suddenly, when it seemed 
 impossible for him to unravel his handiwork, he blew upon 
 them, and the rings fell separately at his feet. This trick 
 produced a charming illusion. 
 
 The one that succeeded it, and which I never saw per- 
 formed by any one else, was quite equal to the preceding 
 one in interest.
 
 FORTUNATUS'S HAT. 229 
 
 Macalister, the Scotch bricklayer (who on the stage was 
 a negro of the name of Domingo), brought in on a table 
 two sugar-loves still covered with that horrible paper 
 which the honest grocer sells at the price of colonial 
 wares. Philippe borrowed a dozen handkerchiefs (not 
 from accomplices), and after placing them in a blunder- 
 buss, he fired at one of the sugar-loaves chosen by the 
 audience. He then broke it asunder with an axe, and all 
 the handkerchiefs were found in it. 
 
 Next came Fortunatus" 8 hat. Philippe, after producing 
 from this hat, which he had borrowed from a spectator, 
 an innumerable number of objects, at last pulled out 
 enough feathers to make a bed. The most amusing part 
 of this trick consisted in the conjurer making a lad kneel 
 down, who was completely buried in this avalanche of 
 feathers. 
 
 Another striking trick was the one called " The Kitchen 
 of Parafaragarmus." At Philippe's request two school- 
 boys came on the stage, whom he dressed, one as scullion, 
 the other as professed cook. Thus metamorphosed, the 
 two young cordons blew underwent all sorts of pleasantries 
 and mystifications. (This was a trick of Castelli's school.) 
 
 The conjurer then proceeded to perform the trick ; for 
 this purpose he suspended from a tripod an enormous 
 copper caldron full of water, and ordered the two lads to 
 put in it dead pigeons, an assortment of vegetables, and 
 plenty of seasoning. Then he lit some spirits of wine 
 under the caldron, and pronounced some magical incanta- 
 tions. At his voice, the pigeons, returning to life, flew 
 out of the caldron ; while the water, vegetables, and sea- 
 soning had entirely disappeared. 
 
 Philippe usually ended the evening's performance with 
 the famous Chinese trick, to which he had given the pomp- 
 ous name of "Neptune's Basins, or the Gold-Fish."
 
 230 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 The magician, clothed in his brilliant costume, mounted 
 on a sort of low table, which isolated him from the stage. 
 After a few manoeuvres to prove he had nothing about 
 him, he threw a shawl at his feet, and, on lifting it up, he 
 displayed a glass basin filled with water, in which gold-fish 
 swam about. This was thrice repeated, with the same re- 
 sult ; but, in his desire to improve on his brethren of the 
 Celestial Empire, the French conjurer had added a varia- 
 tion to their trick, which gave an amusing termination to 
 the performance. Throwing the shawl on the ground for 
 the fourth time, several animals, such as rabbits, ducks, 
 chickens, &c., emerged from it. This trick was performed, 
 if not gracefully, at least in a way to excite the lively ad- 
 miration of the spectators. 
 
 Generally, Philippe was very amusing in his entertain- 
 ment. His experiments were performed with a good deal 
 of conscientiousness, skill, and dash, and I have no hesi- 
 tation in saying that the conjurer of the Bonne-Nouvelle 
 Bazaar might then be considered one of the best of the 
 day. Philippe quitted Paris the following year, and has 
 since performed entirely in foreign countries, or the pro- 
 vinces. 
 
 Philippe's success would not have failed to rekindle my 
 desire to realize my theatrical schemes, had not, at this 
 period, a misfortune hurled me into a state of profound 
 wretchedness. I lost my wife. 
 
 Left with three young children, I was obliged to under- 
 take their charge, although so unskilled in household 
 cares. Thus, at the end of five years, robbed by some, 
 deceived by others, I had almost lost all that my labor 
 had produced me, and was going to ruin. 
 
 Forced by my intolerable position, I determined on re- 
 constituting my home, and I married again. I shall have
 
 LOUIS PHILIPPE. 231 
 
 BO many occasions of speaking of my new wife, that I shall 
 refrain at present from praising her according to her 
 deserts ; besides, I am not sorry to abridge these domestic 
 details, which, though personally important to me, only 
 possess a very slight interest in my story. 
 
 The Exhibition of 1844 was about to open, so I asked 
 and obtained leave to exhibit some specimens of my skill. 
 The site granted me, opposite the door of honor, was un- 
 doubtedly one of the best in the hall, and I erected a cir- 
 cular stand, on which I placed a specimen of all the 
 mechanical pieces I had as yet made. Among these my 
 
 Writer took the first place, which M. G had been 
 
 kind enough to lend me for the occasion. I may say I 
 enjoyed all the honor of the exhibition, for my productions 
 were constantly surrounded by a crowd of spectators, who 
 were all the more eager as the performance was gratis. 
 
 Louis Philippe paid daily visits to the Palace of In- 
 dustry, and as my automata had been pointed out as 
 deserving his attention, he evinced a wish to see them, and 
 gave me twenty hours' notice of his visit. I thus had time 
 enough to make all my arrangements. The king arrived, 
 holding the Comte de Paris by the hand, and I stood on 
 his left hand to explain my various articles. The Duchess 
 of Orleans was by my side, and the other members of the 
 royal family formed a circle around his majesty, while the 
 crowd, kept back by the keepers of the palace and the 
 police agents, left an open space round my exhibition. 
 
 The king was in a charming humor, and seemed to take 
 a pleasure in all I showed him. He frequently asked me 
 questions, and missed no occasion to show his excellent 
 judgment. At the end of the stance, the party stopped 
 before my Writer. This automaton, it must be borne in 
 mind, wrote or drew according to the question asked.
 
 232 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 The king made the following inquiry : " How many in- 
 habitants does Paris contain ?" The writer raised its left 
 hand as if to indicate that it required a sheet of paper, 
 on receiving which, it wrote very distinctly, " Paris con- 
 tains 998,964 inhabitants." 
 
 The paper passed from the king's hand into those of 
 the royal family, and all admired the beauty of the wri- 
 ting ; but I saw that Louis Philippe had a critique to 
 offer, his smile proved that plainly enough. Hence I was 
 not surprised when, pointing to the paper which had come 
 back to him, he said : 
 
 "Monsieur Robert-Houdin, you did not, perhaps, recol- 
 lect that this number will not agree with the new census, 
 which is almost completed ?" 
 
 Contrary to my expectations, I felt quite at ease with 
 my illustrious visitors. 
 
 " Sire !" I replied, with sufficient assurance for a man 
 not much accustomed to the society of crowned heads, "I 
 hope at that period my automaton will be intelligent 
 enough to make any necessary corrections." 
 
 The king appeared satisfied with this reply, and I took 
 advantage of his good humor to mention that my Writer 
 was also a poet, and explained that, if he would deign to 
 offer an unfinished quatrain, the automaton would fill up 
 the rhyme in the fourth line. The king chose the fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 Lorsquo dans le malheur, accable" de souffrance, 
 Abandonm; de tous, 1'homme va succomber, 
 Quel est 1'ange divin qui vient le consoler ? 
 C'est 
 
 L' Esptrance, the writer added to the fourth line. 
 
 That is really charming," the king said to me. " But,
 
 AN OMEN. 233 
 
 Monsieur Robert-Houdin," he added, in a confidential 
 tone, "you must have given your writer instructions in 
 the poetic art?" 
 
 " Yes, sire, as far as my weak powers permitted." 
 
 " Then my compliment is merited more by the master 
 than the pupil." 
 
 I bowed to thank the king as much for his compliment 
 as for the delicate manner in which it was conveyed. 
 
 "Now then, Monsieur Robert-Houdin," Louis Philippe 
 continued, " I see by the notice attached to this automaton 
 that it is a draughtsman, in addition to its merits as a 
 writer and poet. If it be so, come," he said, addressing 
 the Comte de Paris, " choose your own subject for a draw- 
 
 w 
 
 Thinking to cause the prince an agreeable surprise, I 
 had recourse to palmistry to influence his decision, and he, 
 consequently selected a crown. The automaton began 
 drawing the outline of this regal ornament with great skill, 
 and every one followed its movements with interest, when, 
 to my great disappointment, the point of the draughtsman's 
 pencil broke, and the crown could not be finished. I was 
 going to recommence the experiment, when the king de- 
 clined, with thanks. 
 
 "As you have learned to draw," he said to the Comte 
 de Paris, "you can finish this for yourself." 
 
 This performance, besides being the prelude of the 
 kindly interest the Orleans family afterwards displayed 
 towards me, probably exerted some influence on the de- 
 cision of the jury, which granted mo a silver medal.
 
 234 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 My proposed Reforms I build a Theatre in the Palais Royal For- 
 malities General Rehearsal Singular Effect of my Performance 
 The Largest and Smallest Theatre in Paris Tribulation My first 
 Performance Panic Discouragement A Fallible Prophet Reco- 
 very Success. 
 
 IT may seem strange that I thus pass from my mechani- 
 cal labors to my studies in sleight-of-hand; but if my 
 readers will bear in mind that these two sciences were to 
 unite in producing my success, it will easily be understood 
 that I felt an equal degree of affection for them, and that 
 after mentioning one I must allude to the other. The 
 Exhibition did not drive from my thoughts my theatrical 
 projects. 
 
 The instruments intended for my future performances 
 were on the point of completion, for I had never stopped 
 working at them. I was hence enabled to commence ope- 
 rations as soon as an opportunity offered. In the mean 
 time, I determined on the changes I intended to introduce 
 into the usual routine of conjuring performances. 
 
 Remembering Torrini's principles, I intended to have 
 an elegant and simple stage, unencumbered by all the 
 paraphernalia of the ordinary conjurer, which looks more 
 like a toyshop than a serious performance. I would have 
 none of those enormous metal shades usually placed over 
 objects that are to disappear, and whose secret duties
 
 CONJURING REFORMS. 235 
 
 cannot escape the notice of the simplest spectator. Ap- 
 paratus of transparent or opaque glass, according to cir- 
 cumstances, would suffice for all my operations. In the 
 performance of my tricks I also intended to abolish those 
 double-bottomed boxes of which some conjurers made such 
 an abuse, as well as all instruments designed to make up 
 for the performer's want of skill. Real sleight-of-hand 
 must not be the tinman's work but the artist's, and people 
 do not visit the latter to see instruments perform. 
 
 Of course, after the abuse I have showered upon the 
 use of accomplices, I quite did away with them. I have 
 always regarded such trickery as unworthy a real artist, 
 as it raises doubts as to his skill. Besides, having fre- 
 quently acted as an accomplice, I remembered the unfa- 
 vorable impression this employment had left upon me as 
 to the talent of my partner. 
 
 Jets of gas, covered by opaque globes, were to be sub- 
 stituted on my stage for the thousands of candles, whose 
 brilliancy is only intended to dazzle the spectators and 
 thus injure the effect of the experiments. 
 
 Among the reforms I intended to introduce on the 
 stage, the most important was the abolition of those long 
 tablecloths reaching to the ground, beneath which an 
 assistant is always suspected, and, generally with some 
 show of reason. For these immense chests of deception I 
 substituted consoles of gilt wood after the style of Louis 
 XV. 
 
 Of course, I abstained from any eccentric costume, and 
 I never thought of making any change in the attire civil- 
 ized society has agreed to accept for evening dress, for I 
 was always of opinion that bizarre accoutrements, far from 
 giving the wearer any consideration, on the contrary cast 
 disfavor upon him.
 
 236 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 I had also traced out for my performances a line of 
 conduct from which I never diverged ; that was to make 
 no puns or play upon words, and never to permit myself 
 to be guilty of a mystification, even were I sure of gaining 
 the greatest success. 
 
 Finally, I wished to offer new experiments divested of 
 all charlatanism, and possessing no other resources than 
 those offered hy skillful manipulation, and the influence of 
 illusions. 
 
 This was, it will be seen, a complete regeneration in the 
 art of conjuring ; my only fear was whether the public 
 would accept these important reforms and such elegant 
 simplicity. It is true, Antonio, the usual confidant of my 
 plans and thoughts, strongly encouraged me. 
 
 "Don't be alarmed about your success," he said; "you 
 have precedents to prove the good taste of the public and 
 their willingness to accept reforms based on reason. Re- 
 member Talma appearing suddenly at the The&tre-Frangaia 
 clothed in the simple antique toga, at a time when trage- 
 dies were performed in silk coats, powdered perukes, and 
 red heels." 
 
 I accepted the reasoning, though I did not recognise 
 the justice of the comparison. In fact, Talma could im- 
 pose his taste on the public by the authority of his talent 
 and reputation, while I, who as yet held no brevet rank in 
 the army of conjurers, trembled to see my innovations bad- 
 ly received. 
 
 We had now reached the month of December, 1844, and, 
 having nothing further to detain me, I decided on striking 
 the grand blow that is to say, I went out one morning 
 determined on finding a site for my theatre. I passed the 
 whole day in attempting to find a spot combining advan- 
 tage of situation, chance of receipts, and many other bene-
 
 MY PREPARATIONS. 237 
 
 fits. I stopped through preference at^he best spots and 
 before the handsomest houses, but found nothing that ex- 
 actly suited me. 
 
 Wearied with searching, I singularly lowered my pre- 
 tentions and wants. Here I found an enormous price 
 asked for a room that only in part suited me ; there, pro- 
 prietors who would not, for any consideration, have per- 
 formances iu their houses ; in short, obstacles and impos- 
 sibilities on all sides. 
 
 Thus I ran about Paris for a fortnight, passing from 
 the largest to the smallest houses in turn, and ended by 
 convincing myself that fate was adverse to my plans. 
 Antonio relieved me from my difficulty, for that worthy 
 friend, who aided me in the search, came to tell me he 
 had found a room in the Palais Royal which could be 
 easily converted into a theatre. I went straight to 164 in 
 the Galerie de Valois, where I found, in fact, all the con- 
 ditions I had sought elsewhere, combined. 
 
 The proprietor of this house had been dreaming for a 
 long time in vain about a benevolent tenant, who, while 
 paying an exhorbitant price for his room, would come in 
 without expecting any repairs to be done. I was, there- 
 fore, most welcome, when I not only agreed to pay the 
 rent asked, but endured passively every sort of imposition. 
 Indeed, I would have given much more, so afraid as I was 
 lest this desirable house should slip from me. 
 
 When the bargain was concluded, I applied to an archi- 
 tect, who soon brought me the plan of a charming room, 
 which I jumped at. A few days later he set to work, 
 partitions were knocked down, the ground cleared, and the 
 carpenters began erecting my theatre, which was to con- 
 tain from 180 to 200 persons. Though small, this room 
 was all I wanted for my style of performance ; for sup-
 
 238 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 posing, according^to my famous calculations, that it was 
 constantly full, it would be an excellent affair for me. 
 
 Antonio, ever filled with zeal for my interests, paid con- 
 stant visits to my workmen and stimulated their activity, 
 but one day my friend was struck by a sudden idea. 
 
 "By the way," he said, "have you thought of asking 
 permission from the Prefect of Police to construct your 
 theatre?" 
 
 "Not yet," I replied, quietly. "It cannot be refused 
 me, as this construction makes no change in the architec- 
 tural arrangements of the house. 
 
 "That is possible," Antonio added, "but in your place 
 I would take this step immediately, that no difficulty may 
 occur when it is too late." 
 
 I followed his advice, and we went together to M. 
 
 X 's office, who then had the direction of theatrical 
 
 affairs. After an hour waiting, we were introduced to the 
 head of the office, who, being at the moment engaged in 
 some interesting reading, did not seem even to notice our 
 
 presence. In ten minutes, however, M. X laid down 
 
 his book, opened and shut a few drawers, called his clerk, 
 gave orders, lifted his spectacles, and made us a sign that 
 he was ready to hear a sentence which I had already com- 
 menced twice or thrice without being able to end it. This 
 impertinent coolness made my blood boil; still I said, as 
 politely as my vexation would allow me, 
 
 " I have come, sir, to ask your permission to open a, 
 room for performances of magic and sleight-of-hand in the 
 Palais Royal." 
 
 "Sir," the head of the office replied, very dryly, "if 
 you have chosen the Palais Royal for your performance, I 
 can tell you you will not obtain permission." 
 
 "Why so, sir?" I said, in consternation.
 
 THE PREFECT OF POLICE. 239 
 
 " Because a ministerial decree forbids^any new establish- 
 ment being opened there." 
 
 " But pray consider, sir, that, not being aware of this de- 
 cision, I have taken a room on a long lease, and my thea- 
 tre is at this moment being built. The refusal of this per- 
 mission will be my ruin. What can I do now?" 
 
 "That is not my business," the bureaucrat replied, dis- 
 dainfully; "I am not a theatrical agent." 
 
 With these words M. X , after the method employ- 
 ed by solicitors and physicians to announce that a consult- 
 ation is over, rose, led us to the door, and, himself open- 
 ing it, showed us clearly what we had to do. Antonio 
 and myself, equally in despair, remained for more than an 
 hour at the door of the Prefecture, vainly taxing our 
 brains how to escape from this difficulty. With all our 
 reasoning, we always arrived at the mournful conclusion 
 that we could do no less than stop the building, and com- 
 pound with B to take the lease off my hands. It was 
 
 my ruin, Antonio understood as well as I, and he could 
 offer me no consolation. 
 
 "But, stay," he said suddenly, striking his forehead, " I 
 have an idea. Tell me, during the late exhibition, did you 
 not sell a ' mysterious clock' to M. Benjamin Delessert, a 
 banker?" 
 
 "Well, suppose I did, what has that to do with " 
 
 "What! do you not understand me ? M. Delessert is 
 brother of the Prefect of Police. Go and see him ; he is 
 said to be good hearted, perhaps he will give you good 
 advice, or even better than that. If he would speak to his 
 brother on your behalf, we should be saved, for M. Gabriel 
 Delessert is omnipotent in theatrical matters." 
 
 I adopted Antonio's advice with joy, and proceeded to 
 carry it into effect. M. B. Delessert received me kindly,
 
 240 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT HOUDIN. 
 
 complimented me on the clock, with which he was quite 
 satisfied, and made me inspect his magnificent picture- 
 gallery, in which it was put up. Emboldened by this kind 
 reception, I explained to him the embarrassment in which 
 I was placed. 
 
 " Well, M. Robert-Houdin, he said to me, " console 
 yourself; we may possibly arrange this affair. I am go- 
 ing to give a large party next Wednesday evening, to 
 which my brother has promised to come. Do me the 
 pleasure to join us ; you will give us a specimen of your 
 talents, and when M. le PreTet has learned to appreciate 
 you, I will speak to him of your matter." r 
 
 On Wednesday, I proceeded to the house of my new 
 protector, who had the kindness to present me to some of 
 his guests, while confidentially praising my sleight-of-hand 
 talents. My performance came off, and, judging by the 
 applause I received, I may say it justified their anticipated 
 compliments. A week had scarce elapsed when I receiv- 
 ed a summons to the office of Prefect of Police. I went 
 there with all speed, and M. Gabriel Delessert informed 
 me that he had been able to induce the minister to revoke 
 his decision. "Hence you can now go," he added, "and 
 
 obtain your permission in M. X 's office, where it has 
 
 been sent for some formalities." 
 
 It was curious about my reception on this occasion, but 
 
 M. X displayed such extreme politeness towards me, 
 
 that it largely made up for the cavalier treatment he had 
 offered me on the first occasion. Far from leaving me 
 standing, he would willingly ha.ve offered me two chairs 
 instead of one, and when I quitted his office, he over- 
 whelmed me with all the attention due to a man protected 
 
 by a superior power. I was too happy to bear M. X 
 
 any malice ; hence we separated quite reconciled.
 
 MY FIRST REHEARSAL. 241 
 
 I will spare my readers the numberless tribulations 
 which accompanied my unending building; mistakes in 
 time and money are so usual in such matters, that I need 
 not allude to them here. At length, all this was over, and 
 with the liveliest pleasure I saw the last workman depart 
 not to return again. 
 
 We had now reached the end of June, and I hoped to 
 commence at the beginning of July. For this purpose I 
 hastened my preparations, for each day was an enormous 
 loss, as I was spending much and earning nothing. 
 
 I had already given some partial rehearsals, and I now 
 decided on holding one to precede the general rehearsal, 
 but, as I was not quite sure of the success of my experi- 
 ments, I only invited half a dozen intimate friends, pledged 
 to give me their opinion with the greatest severity. This 
 performance was fixed for the 25th June, 1845, and on 
 that day I made my preparations with as much care as if 
 I were going to give my opening performance, for I had 
 been suffering for nearly a month from a regular panic, 
 which I could attribute to no other cause than my nervous 
 and impressionable temperament. 
 
 I could not get a wink of sleep, my appetite had left 
 me, and I thought of my performances with a species of 
 dread. I, who had hitherto treated so lightly the per- 
 formances I gave to my friends I, who had obtained such 
 success at Aubusson, trembled like a child. 
 
 The reason was, that hitherto I had performed before 
 spectators ever smiling or ready to smile, and the success 
 of my experiments made no difference to me. Now, I 
 was about to appear before a real audience, and I trembled 
 at the thought of "the right they purchased at the 
 door." 
 
 On the appointed evening, at eight precisely, my friends 
 
 Q
 
 242 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 having duly arrived, the curtain rose, and I appeared on 
 the stage. Half a dozen smiles greeted my appearance, 
 which rekindled my courage and even gave me a species 
 of coolness. The first of my experiments was performed 
 very decently, and yet my address was very badly re- 
 peated. I recited it like a schoolboy who tries to remember 
 his lesson, but the good favor of my spectators once ac- 
 quired, I continued famously. 
 
 To explain what follows, I must mention that, during 
 the whole day, heavy clouds had hung over Paris; and 
 the evening, far from bringing any relief, wafted into the 
 room puffs of heated air, which seemed to issue from a 
 stove. 
 
 Well, I had scarcely reached the middle of the first part, 
 when two of my spectators had yielded to the soporific 
 influences of the weather and my "patter." I could 
 excuse them, however, for my own eye-lids were beginning 
 to droop. Not being accustomed to sleep standing, how- 
 ever, I held my own. 
 
 But it is well known that nothing is so contagious as 
 sleep, hence - the epidemic made rapid progress. At the 
 end of a few moments the last of the survivors let his head 
 fall on his chest and completed the sextett, whose snoring, 
 continually crescendo, at length drowned my voice. My 
 situation was disagreeable, and though I tried to arouse . 
 my audience by speaking in a louder key, I only succeeded 
 in causing one or two eye-lids to open, which, after a few 
 insane winks, closed again. 
 
 At length the first part of the performance was over 
 and the curtain fell, and with much pleasure I stretched 
 myself in an arm-chair to enjoy a few minutes' rest ! Five 
 minutes would be enough, and I was asleep before I could 
 repel the invader. My son, who helped me on the stage,
 
 A SLEEPY AUDIENCE. 243 
 
 had not waited so long ; he had laid himself on the ground 
 and was sleeping like a top, while my wife, a busy, coura- 
 geous woman, though struggling against the common foe, 
 watched near me, and, in her tender care, did not disturb 
 a sleep I required so much. Besides, she had peeped 
 through the hole in the curtain, and our spectators seemed 
 so happy, that she had not the heart to disturb them. 
 But, insensibly, her strength betrayed her courage, and 
 unable to resist the temptation of a nap, she fell asleep 
 too. 
 
 The pianist, who represented my orchestra, having seen 
 the curtain fall, and hearing no movement on the stage, 
 thought my performance was over, and determined on 
 going. As the porter had orders to turn off the gas at 
 the main when he saw my pianist go out, and was most 
 anxious to be exact at the beginning of his engagement, 
 he hastened to obey my orders, and plunged the room into 
 utter darkness. 
 
 We had been enjoying this delightful sleep for about 
 two hours, when I was aroused by a confused sound of 
 voices and shouts. I rubbed my eyes and wondered where 
 I was, but seeing nothing, I grew quite alarmed. " Can 
 I possibly have gone blind ?" I exclaimed ; " I can see 
 nothing !" __. 
 
 "Hang it, no more can we see anything !" said a voice, 
 which I recognized as Antonio's. " For goodness' sake, 
 give us a light !" 
 
 "Yes, yes, a light !" my five other spectators repeated 
 in chorus. 
 
 We were soon on our feet ; the curtain was raised, and 
 then, having lighted some candles, we saw our five sleepers 
 rubbing their eyes, and trying to find out where they were ;
 
 244 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 while Antonio was growling away under the stalls, where 
 he had fallen asleep. 
 
 All was then explained ; we had a hearty laugh at the 
 adventure, and separated with the promise of meeting 
 again. 
 
 There were only four days to the 1st of July, and to 
 any one acquainted with the preparations for a first per- 
 formance, and, far more important still, for opening a 
 theatre, this lapse of time will appear very short, for there 
 is always so much to be done at the last moment. Thus, 
 the 1st of July arrived, and I was not prepared, and the 
 opening did not take place till three days later. 
 
 On this day, by a strange coincidence, the Hippodrome 
 and the " fantastic soire'es " of Robert-Houdin, the largest 
 and smallest stage in Paris, were opened to the public. 
 The 3d of July, 1845, saw two bills placarded on the walls 
 of Paris ; one enormous, belonging to the Hippodrome, 
 while the other, of far more modest proportions, announced 
 my performances. Still, as in the fable of the reed and 
 the oak, the large theatre, in spite of the skill of the 
 managers, has undergone many changes of fortune ; while 
 the smaller one has continually enjoyed the public favor. 
 
 I have sacredly kept a proof of my first bill, the form 
 and color of which has always remained the same since 
 that date. I copy it word for word here, both to furnish 
 an idea of its simplicity, and to display the programme 
 of the experiments I then offered to the public :
 
 MY FIRST BILL. 245 
 
 TO-DAY, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1845. 
 FIRST REPRESENTATION 
 
 or 
 
 THE FANTASTIC SOIREES 
 
 OF 
 
 ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 AUTOMATA, SLEIGHT-OF-HAND, MAGIC. 
 
 The Performance will be composed of entirely novel Experiments 
 invented by M. ROBEBT-HOUDIK. 
 
 AMONG THEM BEING: 
 
 THE CABALISTIC CLOCK. 
 AUBIOL AND DBBUREAU 
 
 THE OKANQE-TBEE. 
 
 THE MYSTERIOUS BOUQUET. 
 
 THE HANDKERCHIEF. 
 riKRRuT IN THE EGG. 
 
 OBEDIENT CABDS. 
 
 THE MIBACULOUS FISH. 
 
 THE FASCINATING OWL. 
 
 THE PASTRYCOOK OF THF PALAIS 
 
 BOYAL. 
 
 TO COMMENCE AT EIGHT O'CLOCK. 
 Box-office open at Half-past Seven. 
 
 Price of places : Upper Boxes, 1 fr. 50 c. ; Stalls, 8 fr. ; Boxes, 
 4 fr. ; Dress Circle, 5 fr. 
 
 The day of my first representation had at length ar- 
 rived. To say how I spent it is impossible ; all I remem- 
 ber is, that, at the end of a feverish and sleepless night,
 
 246 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOTJDIN. 
 
 occasioned by the multiplicity of my tasks, I had to or- 
 ganise and foresee everything, for I was at once manager, 
 machinist, author and actor. What a terrible responsi- 
 bility for a poor artist, whose life had hitherto been spent 
 among his tools ! 
 
 At seven in the evening, a thousand things had still to 
 be done, but I was in a state of febrile excitement which 
 doubled my strength and energy, and I got through them 
 all. 
 
 Eight o'clock struck and echoed through my heart like 
 the peal that summons the culprit to execution ; never in 
 my life did I experience such emotion and torture. Ah ! 
 if I could only draw back ! Had it been possible to fly 
 and abandon this position I had so long desired, with what 
 happiness would I have returned to my peaceful avoca- 
 tions ! And yet, why did I feel this mad terror ? I know 
 not, for three-fourths of the room were filled with persons 
 on whose indulgence I could rely. 
 
 I made a final attack on my pusillanimity. 
 
 " Come !" I said to myself, " courage ! I have my 
 name, my future, my children's fortune at stake; cou- 
 rage !" 
 
 This thought restored me; I passed my hand several 
 times over my agitated features, ordered the curtain to be 
 raised, and without further reflection I walked boldly on 
 the stage. 
 
 My friends, aware of my sufferings, received me with 
 some encouraging applause ; this kind reception restored 
 my confidence, and, like a gentle dew, refreshed my mind 
 and senses. I began. 
 
 To assert that I acquitted myself fairly would be a 
 proof of vanity, and yet it would be excusable, for I re- 
 ceived repeated signs of applause from my audience. But
 
 I AM A COWARD. 247 
 
 how to distinguish between the applause of the friendly 
 and the paying public? I was glad to deceive myself, 
 and my experiments gained by it. 
 
 The first part was over, and the curtain fell. My wife 
 came directly to embrace me, to encourage me, and thank 
 me for my courageous efforts. I may now confess it : I 
 believed that I had been alone severe to myself, and that 
 it was possible all this applause was sterling coin. This 
 belief did me an enormous good ; and why should I con- 
 ceal it, tears of joy stood in my eyes, which I hastened to 
 wipe away lest my feelings might prevent my preparations 
 for the second part. 
 
 The curtain rose again, and I approached my audience 
 with a smile on my lips. I judged of this change in my 
 face by those of my spectators, for they began all at once 
 to share my good humor. 
 
 How many times since have I tried this imitative faculty 
 on the part of the public ? If you are anxious, ill-dis- 
 posed, or vexed, or should your face bear the stamp of 
 any annoying impression, your audience, straightway imi- 
 tating the contraction of your features, begins to frown, 
 grows serious, and ill-disposed to be favorable to you. If, 
 however, you appear on the stage with a cheerful face, the 
 most sombre brows unwrinkle, and every one seems to say 
 to the artist : " How d'ye do, old fellow, your face pleases 
 me, I only want an opportunity to applaud you." Such 
 seemed to be the case with my public at this moment. 
 
 It was more easy for me to feel at my ease as I was be- 
 ginning my favorite experiment, " the surprising pocket- 
 handkerchief," a medley of clever deceptions. After 
 borrowing a handkerchief, I produced from it a multitude 
 of objects of every description, such as sugar-plums, 
 feathers of every size up to a drum-major's, fans, comic
 
 248 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 journals, and, as a finale, an enormous basket of flowers, 
 which I distributed to the ladies. This trick was perfectly 
 successful, but, to tell the truth, I had it at my fingers' 
 ends. 
 
 The next performance was the " orange- tree," and I 
 had every reason to calculate on this trick, for, in my pri- 
 vate rehearsals, it was the one I always did best. I began 
 with a few juggling tricks as introduction, which were per- 
 fectly successful, and I had every reason to believe I was 
 getting through it capitally, when a sudden thought crossed 
 my mind and paralyzed me. I was assailed by a panic 
 which must have been felt to be understood, and I will try 
 to explain it by an illustration. 
 
 When you are learning to swim, the teacher begins by 
 giving you this important piece of advice ; " Have confi- 
 dence, and all will be well." If you follow his advice, 
 you can easily keep yourself up on the water, and it seems 
 perfectly natural ; thus you learn to swim. But it often 
 happens that a sudden thought crosses your mind like 
 lightning : " Suppose my strength failed me !" From 
 that time you hurry your movements, you redouble your 
 speed, the water no longer sustains you, you flounder 
 about, and, if a helping hand were not by, you would be 
 lost. 
 
 Such was my situation on the stage ; the thought had 
 suddenly struck me : " Suppose I were to fail !" And 
 immediately I began to talk quick, hurried on in my 
 anxiety to finish, felt confused, and, like the tired swim- 
 mer, I floundered about without being able to emerge from 
 the chaos of my ideas. 
 
 Oh ! then I experienced a torture, an agony which I 
 could not describe, but which might easily become mortal 
 were it prolonged.
 
 AN UTTER FAILURE. 249 
 
 The real public were cold and silent, my friends were 
 foolish enough to applaud, but the rest remained quiet. I 
 scarcely dared to look round the room, and my experi- 
 ment ended I know not how. 
 
 I proceeded to the next, but my nervous system had 
 reached such a degree of irritation that I no longer knew 
 what I said or did. I only felt that I was speaking with 
 extraordinary volubility, so that the four last tricks of my 
 performance were done in a few minutes. 
 
 The curtain fell very opportunely; my strength was 
 exhausted ; but a little longer and I should have had to 
 crave the indulgence of my audience. 
 
 In my life I never passed so frightful a night as the one 
 following my first performance. I had a fever, I am quite 
 certain, but that was as nothing in comparison with my 
 moral sufferings. I had no desire left or courage to ap- 
 pear on the stage. I wished to sell, give up, or give away, 
 if necessary, an establishment which taxed my strength 
 too severely. 
 
 "No," I said to myself, " I am not born for this life of 
 emotion. I will quit the parching atmosphere of a thea- 
 tre. I will, even at the expense of a brilliant fortune, re- 
 turn to my gentle and calm employment." 
 
 The next morning, incapable of rising, and, indeed, 
 firmly resolved to give up my representations, I had the 
 bill taken down that announced my performance for that 
 evening. I had made up my mind as to all the conse- 
 quences of this resolution. Thus, the sacrifice accom- 
 plished, I found myself far more calm, and even yielded 
 to the imperious claims of a sleep I had for a long time 
 denied myself. 
 
 I have now arrived at a moment when I shall quit for 
 ever the mournful and wearisome details of the numerous
 
 250 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 misfortunes that preceded my representations ; but my 
 readers will notice with some surprise to what a futile cir- 
 cumstance I owed my release from this state of discour- 
 agement, which I fancied would last for ever. 
 
 The repose I had taken during the day and the follow- 
 ing night had refreshed my blood and my ideas. I re- 
 garded my situation under a very different aspect, and I 
 had already made up my mind not to give up my theatre, 
 when one of my friends or, who called himself so came 
 to pay me a visit. 
 
 After expressing his regret at the unhappy result of my 
 first performance, at which he had been present, he said : 
 
 " I called in to see you because I noticed your room was 
 closed, and I had a wish to express my feelings to you on 
 the subject. I must say, then, to speak frankly " (I have 
 noticed that this phrase is always followed by some bad 
 compliment, which is meant to pass under the guise of 
 friendly frankness), " that you are perfectly right to quit 
 a profession beyond your strength, and that you have 
 acted wisely by anticipating with good grace a decision to 
 which you would have been forced sooner or later. How- 
 ever," he added, with a self-sufficient air, "I foretold it. 
 I always thought you were committing an act of madness, 
 and that your theatre would no sooner be opened than you 
 would be obliged to close it." 
 
 These cruel compliments, addressed under the cloak of 
 apocryphal frankness, wounded me deeply. I could easily 
 detect that this offerer of advice, sacrificing to his vanity 
 the slight affection he felt for me, had only come to 
 see me in order to parade his perspicacity and the justice 
 of his previsions, of which he had never mentioned a syl- 
 lable to me. Well, this infallible prophet, who foresaw 
 events so truly, was far from suspecting the change he
 
 A GOOD-NATURED FRIEND. 251 
 
 was producing in me. The more he talked, the more he 
 confirmed me in the resolution of continuing my perform- 
 ances. 
 
 " Who told you my room was closed ?" I said, in a tone 
 that had nothing affectionate about it. " If I did not per- 
 form yesterday, it was because, worn out by the fatigue I 
 have undergone for some time, I wished to rest for at 
 least one day. Your foreboding will, therefore, be disap- 
 pointed, when I tell you that I shall perform this very 
 evening. I hope, in my second representation, to take 
 my revenge on the public ; and this time they will judge 
 me less severely than you have done. I am quite con- 
 vinced of it." 
 
 The conversation having taken this turn, could not be 
 continued much longer. My offerer of advice, dissatisfied 
 at my reception of him, quitted me, and I have never seen 
 him since. Yet, I bear him no malice ; on the contrary, 
 if he reads my Memoirs, I beg to offer him in this place 
 my thanks for the happy revolution he produced in me by 
 wounding my vanity to the quick. 
 
 Bills were immediately posted to announce my perform- 
 ance for that evening, and I made my preparations calm- 
 ly, while thinking over those parts of my performance in 
 which it would be advisable to introduce a change. 
 
 This second representation went on much better than I 
 had hoped, and my audience appeared satisfied. Unfor- 
 tunately, that audience was small, and my receipts, 
 consequently, were the same. Still, I accepted it all 
 philosophically, for the success I had obtained gave me 
 confidence in the future. 
 
 However, I soon had real causes for consolation. The 
 celebrities of the press came to my representations, and 
 described my performance in the most flattering terms.
 
 252 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Some contributors to the comic papers also made very 
 pleasant allusions to my performances and myself. Among 
 others, the present editor of the Charivari wrote an article 
 full of fun and dash about my performances, which he ter- 
 minated with some lines, expressive of his decided opinion 
 that I belonged to the family of Robert le Diable and 
 Robert Macaire. 
 
 Finally, the Illustration, desirous of evincing its sympa- 
 thy, engaged Eugene Forey to draw a sketch of my thea- 
 tre. Such publicity soon attracted the attention of the 
 first Parisian circles: people came to see my perform- 
 ances : they appointed to meet at my room, and from this 
 moment commenced that reputation which has never left 
 me since.
 
 NEW STUDIES. 253 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 New Studies A Comic Journal Invention of Second Sight Curious 
 Experiments An enthusiastic Spectator Danger of being a Sor- 
 cerer A Philter or your Life Way to get rid of Bores An Electric 
 Touch I perform at the Vaudeville Struggles with the Incredu- 
 lous Interesting Details. 
 
 FONTENELLE says, some where or other, " There is no 
 success, however merited, in which luck does not have a 
 share;" and, although I was of the same opinion as the 
 illustrious Academician, I determined by sheer toil to di- 
 minish as much as in me lay the share luck could claim in 
 my success. In the first place, I redoubled my efforts to 
 improve the execution of my tricks, and when I believed I 
 had attained that result, I tried to correct a fault which, 
 I felt, must injure my performance. This was speaking 
 too rapidly ; and my " patter," recited in a schoolboy tone, 
 thus lost much of its effect. I was drawn in this false 
 direction by my natural vivacity, and I had great trouble 
 in correcting it ; however, by resolutely attacking my ene- 
 my, I managed to conquer it. 
 
 This victory was doubly profitable to me : I performed 
 with much less fatigue, and had the pleasure of noticing, 
 in the calmness of my audience, that I had realized the 
 scenic truth, " the more slowly a story is told, the shorter 
 it seems." In fact, if you pronounce slowly, the public, 
 judging from your calmness that you take an interest in 
 what you are saying, yield to your influence and listen to
 
 254 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 you with sustained attention. If, on the contrary, your 
 words reveal a desire to finish quickly, your auditors gradu- 
 ally submit to the influence of this restlessness, and they 
 are as anxious as yourself to hear the end of your story. 
 
 I have said that people of the first rank came to my 
 theatre, but I noticed, on the other hand, to my regret, 
 that my pit was scantily filled. As I was ambitious to 
 have my room thronged, I thought I could not effect this 
 more easily than by making my theatre better known than 
 I had hitherto done. 
 
 From time immemorial it has been the custom, at con- 
 juring performances, to distribute small presents to the 
 audience, in order to "maintain their friendship." Toys 
 were generally selected, which spectators of all ages con- 
 tended for ; and this often made Comte say at the moment 
 of distribution, " Here are toys for great children and 
 small." These toys had a very ephemeral existence, and 
 as nothing indicated their origin, they could attract no at- 
 tention to the giver. While, then, I was as liberal 
 as my predecessors, I wished that my little presents 
 should keep up for a longer period the remembrance of my 
 name and experiments. Instead of dolls and other similar 
 objects, I distributed to my spectators, under the form of 
 presents produced by magic, illustrated comic journals, 
 elegant fans, albums, and rebuses, all accompanied by 
 bouquets and excellent bonbons. Each article bore, not 
 only the inscription " Recollections of Eobert-Houdin's 
 fantastic soirees," but also details of my performances, ac- 
 cording to the nature of the article. These were generally 
 presented in the shape of verses. The thing that caused 
 me the most trouble was my comic journal, the " Caglios- 
 tro," which I was forced to edit at the expense of my 
 night's rest. The audience were amused by my jests, jand
 
 SECOND SIGHT. 255 
 
 the perusal of the paper between the acts gave me a little 
 time to make my preparations. 
 
 The experiment, however, to which I owed my reputa- 
 tion was one inspired by that fantastic god to whom Pas- 
 cal attributes all the discoveries of this sublunary world : 
 chance led me straight to the invention of second sight. 
 
 My two children were playing one day in the drawing- 
 room at a game they had invented for their own amuse- 
 ment. The younger had bandaged his elder brother's 
 eyes, and made him guess the objects he touched, and 
 when the latter happened to guess right, they changed 
 places. This simple game suggested to me the most com- 
 plicated idea that ever crossed my mind. 
 
 Pursued by the notion, I ran and shut myself up in my 
 workroom, and was fortunately in that happy state when 
 the mind follows easily the combinations traced by fancy. 
 I rested my head in my hands, and, in my excitement, 
 laid down the first principles of second sight. 
 
 It would require a whole volume to describe the num- 
 berless combinations of this experiment ; but this descrip- 
 tion, far too serious for these memoirs, will find a place in 
 a special work, which will also contain the explanation of 
 my theatrical tricks. Still, I cannot resist the desire of 
 cursorily explaining some of the preliminary experiments 
 to which I had recourse before I could make the trick 
 perfect. 
 
 My readers will remember the experiment suggested to 
 me formerly by the pianist's dexterity, and the strange 
 faculty I succeeded in attaining : I could read while jug- 
 gling with four balls. Thinking seriously of this, I fan- 
 cied that this "perception by appreciation" might be sus- 
 ceptible of equal development, if I applied its principles 
 to the memory and the mind.
 
 256 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 I resolved, therefore, on making some experiments with 
 my son Emile, and, in order to make my young assistant 
 understand the nature of the exercise we were going to 
 learn, I took a domino, the cinq-quatre for instance, and 
 laid it before him. Instead of letting him count the 
 points of the two numbers, I requested the boy to tell me 
 the total at once. 
 
 "Nine," he said. 
 
 Then I added another domino, the quarter-tray. 
 
 "That makes sixteen," he said, without any hesitation. 
 
 I stopped the first lesson here ; the next day we suc- 
 seeded in counting at a single glance four dominoes, the 
 day after six, and thus we at length were enabled to give 
 instantaneously the product of a dozen dominoes. 
 
 This result obtained, we applied ourselves to a far more 
 difficult task, over which we spent a month. My son and 
 I passed rapidly before a toy-shop, or any other displaying 
 a variety of wares, and cast an attentive glance upon it. 
 A few steps further on" we drew paper and pencil from our 
 pockets, and tried which could describe the greater num- 
 ber of objects seen in passing. I must own that my son 
 reached a perfection far greater than mine, for he could 
 often write down forty objects, while I could scarce reach 
 thirty. Often feeling vexed at this defeat, I would return 
 to the shop and verify his statement, but he rarely made 
 a mistake. 
 
 My male readers will certainly understand the possi- 
 bility of this, but they will recognize the difficulty. As 
 for my lady readers, I am convinced beforehand they will 
 not be of the same opinion, for they daily perform far 
 more astounding feats. Thus, for instance, I can safely 
 assert that a lady seeing another pass at full speed in a 
 carriage, will have 'had time to analyze her toilette from
 
 DIFFICULTIES TO SURMOUNT. 257 
 
 her bonnet to her shoes, and be able to describe not only 
 the fashion and quality of the stuffs, but also say if the 
 lace be real, or only machine made. I have known ladies 
 do this. 
 
 This natural, or acquired, faculty among ladies, but 
 which my son and I had only gained by constant practice, 
 was of great service in my performances, for while I was 
 executing my tricks, I could see everything that passed 
 around me, and thus prepare to foil any difficulties pre- 
 sented me. This exercise had given me, so to speak, the 
 power of following two ideas simultaneously, and nothing 
 is more favorable in conjuring than to be able to think at 
 the same time both of what you are saying and of what 
 you are doing. I eventually acquired such a knack in 
 this, that I frequently invented new tricks while going 
 through my performances. One day, even, I made a bet 
 I would solve a problem in mechanics while taking my 
 part in conversation. We were talking of the pleasure of 
 a country life, and I calculated during this time the quan- 
 tity of wheels and pinions, as well as the necessary cogs, 
 to produce certain revolutions required, without once fail- 
 ing in my reply. 
 
 This slight explanation will be sufficient to show what 
 is the essential basis of second sight, and I will add that a 
 secret and unnoticeable correspondence existed between 
 my son and myself, by which I could announce to him the 
 name, nature, and bulk of objects handed me by specta- 
 tors. 
 
 As none understood my mode of action, they were 
 tempted to believe in something extraordinary, and, in- 
 deed, my son Emile, then aged twelve, possessed all the 
 essential qualities to produce this opinion, for his pale,
 
 258 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 intellectual, and ever thoughtful face represented the type 
 of a boy gifted with some supernatural power. 
 
 Two months were incessantly employed in erecting the 
 scaffolding of our tricks, and when we were quite confident 
 of being able to contend against the difficulties of such an 
 undertaking, we announced the first representation of 
 second sight. On the 12th of February, 1846, I printed 
 in the centre of my bill the following singular announce- 
 ment: 
 
 "In this performance M. Robert-Houdin' s son, who is 
 gifted with a marvellous second sight, after his eyes have 
 been covered with a thick bandage, will designate every ob- 
 ject presented to him by the audience." 
 
 I cannot say whether this announcement attracted any 
 spectators, for my room was constantly crowded , still I 
 may affirm, what may seem very extraordinary, that the 
 experiment of second sight, which afterwards became so 
 fashionable, produced no effect on the first performance. 
 I am inclined to believe that the spectators fancied them- 
 selves the dupes of accomplices, but I was much annoyed 
 by the result, as I had built on the surprise I should pro- 
 duce ; still, having no reason to doubt its ultimate success, 
 I was tempted to make a second trial, which turned out 
 well. 
 
 The next evening I noticed in my room several persons 
 who had been present on the previous night, and I felt 
 they had come a second time to assure themselves of the 
 reality of the experiment. It seems they were convinced, 
 for my success was complete, and amply compensated for 
 my former disappointment. 
 
 I especially remember a mark of singular approval with 
 which one of my pit audience favored me. My son had 
 named to him several objects he offered in succession ; but
 
 A FAIR UNKNOWN. 259 
 
 not feeling satisfied, my incredulous friend, rising, as if to 
 give more importance to the difficulty he was about to 
 present, handed me an instrument peculiar to cloth mer- 
 chants, and employed to count the number of threads. 
 Acquiescing in his wish, I said to my boy, " What do I 
 hold in my hand?" 
 
 " It is an instrument to judge the fineness of cloth, and 
 called a thread counter." 
 
 "By Jove!" my spectator said, energetically, "it is 
 marvellous. If I had paid ten francs to see it, I should 
 not begrudge them." 
 
 From this moment my room was much too small, and 
 was crowded every evening. 
 
 Still, success is not entirely rose-colored, and I could 
 easily narrate many disagreeable scenes produced by the 
 reputation I had of being a sorcerer ; but I will only men- 
 tion one, which forms a re'sume' of all I pass over : 
 
 A young lady of elegant manners paid me a visit one 
 day, and although her face was hidden by a thick veil, my 
 practised eyes perfectly distinguished her features. She 
 was very pretty. 
 
 My incognita would not consent to sit down till she was 
 assured we were alone, and that I was the real Robert- 
 Houdin. I also seated myself, and assuming the attitude 
 of a man prepared to listen, I bent slightly to my visitor, 
 as if awaiting her pleasure to explain to me the object of 
 her mysterious visit'. To my great surprise, the young 
 lady, whose manner betrayed extreme emotion, maintained 
 the most profound silence, and I began to find the visit 
 very strange, and was on the point of forcing an explana- 
 tion, at any hazard, when the fair unknown timidly ven- 
 tured these words : 
 
 " Good Heavens ! sir, I know not how your will inter- 
 pret my visit."
 
 260 MEMOIRS OP ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Here she stopped, and let her eyes sink with a very 
 embarrassed air ; then, making a violent effort, she con- 
 tinued : 
 
 " What I have to ask of you, sir, is very difficult to 
 explain." 
 
 " Speak, madam, I beg," I said, politely, " and I will 
 try to guess what you cannot explain to me." 
 
 And I began asking myself what this reserve meant. 
 
 " In the first place," the young lady said, in a low 
 voice, and looking round her, " I must tell you confiden- 
 tially that I loved, my love was returned, and I I am 
 betrayed." 
 
 At the last word the lady raised her head, overcame 
 the timidity she felt, and said, in a firm and assured 
 voice, 
 
 "Yes, sir yes, I am betrayed, and for that reason I 
 have come to you." 
 
 " Really, madam," I said, much surprised at this strange 
 confession, " I do not see how I can help you in such a 
 matter." 
 
 " Oh, sir, I entreat you," said my fair visitor, clasping 
 her hands " I implore you not to abandon me !" 
 
 I had great difficulty in keeping my countenance, and 
 yet I felt an extreme curiosity to know the history con- 
 cealed behind this mystery. 
 
 " Calm yourself, madam," I remarked, in a tone of 
 tender sympathy ; "tell me what you would of me, and if 
 it be in my power " 
 
 " If it be in your power !" the young lady said, quickly ; 
 "why, nothing is more easy, sir." 
 
 "Explain yourself, madam." 
 
 "Well, sir, I wish to be avenged." 
 
 "In what way?"
 
 A SORCERER AGAINST HIS WILL. 261 
 
 " How, you know better than I, sir ; must I teach you ? 
 You have in your power means to " 
 
 "I, madam?" 
 
 " Yes, sir, you ! for you are a sorcerer, and cannot 
 deny it." 
 
 At this word sorcerer, I was much inclined to laugh ; 
 but I was restrained by the incognita's evident emotion. 
 Still, wishing to put an end to a scene which was growing 
 ridiculous, I said, in a politely ironical tone : 
 
 " Unfortunately, madam, you give me a title I never 
 possessed." 
 
 " How, sir !" the young woman exclaimed, in a quick 
 tone, "you will not allow you are " 
 
 "A sorcerer, madam? Oh no, I will not." 
 
 "You will not?" 
 
 "No, a thousand times no, madam." 
 
 At these words my visitor rose hastily, muttered a few 
 incoherent words, appeared suffering from terrible emotion, 
 and then drawing near me with flaming eyes and passionate 
 gestures, repeated : 
 
 " Ah, you will not ! Very good ; I now know what I 
 have to do." 
 
 Stupefied by such an outbreak, I looked at her fixedly, 
 and began to suspect the cause of her extraordinary 
 conduct. 
 
 " There are two modes of acting," she said, with terrible 
 volubility, " towards people who devote themselves to 
 magic arts entreaty and menaces. You would not yield 
 to the first of these means, hence, I must employ the 
 second. Stay," she added, " perhaps this will induce you 
 to speak." 
 
 And, lifting up her cloak, she laid her hand on the hilt 
 of a dagger passed through her girdle. At the same time
 
 262 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 she suddenly threw back her veil, and displayed features 
 in which all the signs of rage and madness could be traced. 
 No longer having a doubt as to the person I had to deal 
 with, niy first movement was to rise and stand on my 
 guard; but this first feeling overcome, I repented the 
 thought of a struggle with the unhappy woman, and de- 
 termined on employing a method almost always successful 
 with those deprived of reason. I pretended to accede to 
 her wishes. 
 
 " If it be so, madam, I yield to your request. Tell me 
 what you require." 
 
 " I have told you, sir ; I wish for vengeance, and there 
 is only one method to " 
 
 Here there was a fresh interruption, and the young 
 lady, calmed by my apparent submission, as well as em- 
 barrassed by the request she had to make of me, became 
 again timid and confused. 
 
 " Well, madam?" 
 
 " Well, sir, I know not how to tell you how to explain 
 to you but I fancy there are certain means certain 
 spells which render it impossible impossible for a man 
 to be unfaithful." 
 
 "I now understand what you wish, madam. It is a 
 certain magic practice employed in the middle ages. 
 Nothing is easier, and I will satisfy you." 
 
 Decided on playing the farce to the end, I took down 
 the largest book I could find in my library, turned over 
 the leaves, stopped at a page which I pretended to scan 
 with profound attention, and then addressing the lady, 
 who followed all my movements anxiously, 
 
 " Madam," I said, confidentially, " the spell I am going 
 to perform renders it necessary for me to know the name 
 of the person ; have the kindness, then, to tell it me."
 
 THE INCANTATION. 263 
 
 " Julian !" she said, in a faint voice. 
 
 With all the gravity of a real sorcerer, I solemnly thrust 
 a pin through a lighted candle, and pronounced some ca- 
 balistic words. After which, blowing out the candle, and 
 turning to the poor creature, I said: 
 
 " Madam, it is done ; your wish is accomplished." 
 
 "Oh, thank you, sir," she replied, with the expression 
 of the profoundest gratitude ; and at the same moment 
 she laid a purse on the table and rushed away. I ordered 
 my servant to follow her to her house, and obtain all the 
 information he could about her, and I learned she had 
 been a widow for a short time, and that the loss of an 
 adored husband had disturbed her reason. The next day 
 I visited her relatives, and, returning them the purse, I 
 told them the scene the details of which the reader has 
 just perused. 
 
 This scene, with some others that preceded and followed 
 it, compelled me to take measures to guard myself against 
 bores of every description. I could not dream, as for- 
 merly, of exiling myself in the country, but I employed 
 a similar resource : this was to shut myself up in my 
 workroom, and organize around me a system of defence 
 against those whom I called, in my ill-temper, thieves of 
 time. 
 
 I daily received visits from persons who were utter 
 strangers to me ; some were worth knowing, but the ma- 
 jority, gaining an introduction under the most futile pre- 
 texts, only came to kill a portion of their leisure time with 
 me. It was necessary to distinguish the tares from the 
 wheat, and this is the arrangement I made : 
 
 When one of these gentlemen rang at my door, an 
 electric communication struck a bell in my workroom ; I 
 was thus warned and put on my guard. My servant
 
 264 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 opened the door, and, as is customary, inquired the visitor's 
 name, while I, for my part, laid my ear to a tube, arrang- 
 ed for the purpose, which conveyed to me every word. If, 
 according to his reply, I thought it as well not to receive 
 him, I pressed a button, and a white mark that appeared 
 in a certain part of the hall announced I was not at 
 home to him. My servant then stated I was out, and beg- 
 ged the visitor to apply to the manager. 
 
 Sometimes it happened that I erred in my judgment, 
 and regretted having granted an audience ; but I had an- 
 other mode of shortening a bore's visit. I had placed be- 
 hind the sofa on which I set an electric spring, communi- 
 cating with a bell my servant could hear. In case of need, 
 and while talking, I threw my arm carelessly over the 
 back of the sofa, touching the spring, and the bell rang. 
 Then my servant, playing a little farce, opened the front 
 door, rang the bell, which could be heard from the room 
 
 where I sat, and came to tell me that M. X (a name 
 
 invented for the occassion) wished to speak to me. I 
 
 ordered M. X to be shown into an adjoining room, 
 
 and it was very rare that my bore did not raise the siege. 
 No one can form an idea how much time I gained by this 
 happy arrangement, or how many times I blessed my im- 
 agination and the celebrated savant to whom the discovery 
 of galvanism is due ! 
 
 This feeling can be easily explained, for my time was 
 of inestimable value. I husbanded it like a treasure, and 
 never sacrificed it, unless the sacrifice might help me to 
 discover new experiments destined to stimulate public cu- 
 riosity. 
 
 To support my determination in making my researches, 
 I had ever before me this maxim : 
 
 IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO SUPPORT ADMIRATION THAN 
 TO EXCITE IT.
 
 A RACE FOR TIME. 265 
 
 And this other, an apparent corollary of the preced- 
 ing: 
 
 THE FASHION AN ARTISTE ENJOYS CAN ONLY LAST AS 
 HIS TALENT DAILY INCREASES. 
 
 Nothing increases a professional man's merit so much as 
 the possession of an independent fortune ; this truth may 
 be coarse, hut it is indubitable. Not only was I convinc- 
 ed of these principles of high economy, but I also knew 
 that a man must strive to profit by the fickle favor of the 
 public, which equally descends if it does not rise. Hence 
 J worked my reputation as much as I could. In spite of 
 my numerous engagements, I found means to give perform- 
 ances in all the principal theatres, though great difficulties 
 frequently arose, as my performance did not end till half- 
 past ten, and I could only fulfil my other engagements 
 after that hour. 
 
 Eleven o'clock was generally the hour fixed for my ap- 
 pearance on a strange stage, and my readers may judge 
 of the speed required to proceed to the theatre in so short 
 a time and make my preparations. It is true that the 
 moments were as well counted as employed, and my curtain 
 had hardly fallen than, rushing towards the stairs, I got 
 before my audience, and jumped into a vehicle that bore 
 me off at full speed. 
 
 But this fatigue was as nothing compared to the emo- 
 tion occasionally produced by an error in the time that 
 was to elaspe between my two performances. I remember 
 that, one night, having to wind up the performances at the 
 Vaudeville, the stage-manager miscalculated the time the 
 pieces would take in performing, and found himself much 
 in advance. He sent off an express to warn me that the 
 curtain had fallen, and I was anxiously expected. Can 
 my readers comprehend my wretchedness ? My experi-
 
 266 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 ments, of which. I could omit none, would occupy another 
 quarter of an hour ; but instead of indulging in useless 
 recriminations, I resigned myself and continued my per- 
 formance, though I was a prey to frightful anxiety. 
 While speaking, I fancied I could hear that cadenced yell 
 of the public to which the famous song, "Des lampions, 
 des lampions," was set. Thus, either through preoccupa- 
 tion, or a desire to end sooner, I found when my perform- 
 ance was over I had gained five minutes out of the quarter 
 of an hour. Assuredly, it might be called the quarter of 
 an hour's grace. 
 
 To jump into a carriage and drive to the Place de la 
 Bourse was the affair of an instant ; still, twenty minutes 
 had elasped since the curtain fell, and that was an enormous 
 time. My son Emile and I proceeded up the actors' stairs 
 at full speed, but on the first step, we had heard the cries, 
 whistling, and stamping of the impatient audience. What 
 a prospect ! I knew that frequently, either right or wrong, 
 the public treated an artiste, no matter whom, very harshly, 
 to remind him of punctuality. That sovereign always ap- 
 pears to have on its lips the words of another monarch : 
 "I was obliged to wait." However, we hurried up the 
 steps leading to the stage. 
 
 The stage-manager, who had been watching, on. hearing 
 our hurried steps, cried from the landing : 
 
 "Is that you, M. Houdin?" 
 
 "Yes, sir yes." 
 
 "Raise the curtain!" the same voice shouted. 
 
 " Wait, wait, it is imp " 
 
 My breath would not allow me to finish my objection ; 
 I fell on a chair, unable to move. 
 
 " Come, M. Houdin," the manager said, " do go on the 
 stage, the curtain is up, and the public are so impatient."
 
 AN INDIGNANT AUDIENCE. 267 
 
 The door at the back of the stage was open, but I could 
 not pass through it, fatigue and emotion nailed me to the 
 spot. Still, an idea occurred to me, which saved me from 
 the popular wrath. 
 
 " Go on to the stage, my boy," I said to my son, " and 
 prepare all that is wanting for the second-sight trick." 
 
 The public allowed themselves to be disarmed by this 
 youth, whose face inspired a sympathizing interest ; and 
 my son, after gravely bovring to the audience, quietly 
 made his slight preparations, that is to say, he carried an 
 ottoman to the front of the stage, and placed on a neigh- 
 boring table a slate, some chalk, a pack of cards, and a 
 bandage. 
 
 This slight delay enabled me to recover my breath and 
 calm my nerves, and I advanced in my turn with an at- 
 tempt to assume the stereotyped smile, in which I signally 
 failed, as I was so agitated. The audience at first remain- 
 ed silent, then their faces gradually unwrinkled, and soon, 
 one or two claps having been ventured, they were carried 
 away and peace was made. I was well rewarded, however, 
 for this terrible ordeal, as my "second-sight" never gam- 
 ed a more brilliant triumph. 
 
 An incident greatly enlivened the termination of my 
 performance. 
 
 A spectator, who had evidently come on purpose to em- 
 barrass us, had tried in vain for some minutes to baffle my 
 son's clairvoyance, when turning to me, he said, laying 
 marked stress on his words : 
 
 "As your son is a soothsayer, of course he can guess 
 the number of my stall ?" 
 
 The importunate spectator doubtlessly hoped to force us 
 into a confession of our impotence, for he covered his 
 number and the adjacent seats being occupied, it was up-
 
 268 MEMOIRS OF EOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 parently impossible to read the numbers. But I was on 
 my guard against all surprises, and my reply was ready. 
 Still, in order to profit as much as possible by the situation, I 
 feigned to draw back. 
 
 "You know, sir," I said, feigning an embarrassed air, 
 " that my son is neither sorcerer nor diviner ; he reads 
 through my eyes, and hence I have given this experiment 
 the name of second-sight. As I cannot see the number 
 of your stall, and the seats close to you are occupied, my 
 son cannot tell it you." 
 
 "Ah! I was certain of it," my persecutor said, in 
 triumph, and turning to his neighbors : "I told you I 
 would pin him." 
 
 " Oh, sir ! you are not generous in your victory," I 
 said, in my turn, in a tone of mockery. " Take care ; if 
 you pique my son's vanity too sharply, he may solve your 
 problem, though it is so difficult." 
 
 " I defy him," said the spectator, leaning firmly against 
 the back of his seat, to hide the number better "yes, 
 yes I defy him !" 
 
 "You believe it to be difficult, then?" 
 
 " I will grant more : it is impossible." 
 
 " Well, then, sir, that is a stronger reason for us to try 
 it. You will not be angry if we triumph in our turn ?" I 
 added, with a petulant smile. 
 
 " Come, sir ; we understand evasions of that sort. I 
 repeat it I challenge you both." 
 
 The public found great amusement in this debate, and 
 patiently awaited its issue. 
 
 "Emile," I said to my son, "prove to this gentleman 
 that nothing can escape your second sight." 
 
 "It is number sixty -nine," the boy answered, imme- 
 diately.
 
 A GREAT TRIUMPH. 269 
 
 Noisy and hearty applause rose from every part of the 
 theatre, in which our opponent joined, for, confessing his 
 defeat, he exclaimed, as he clapped his hands, " It is 
 astounding magnificent !" 
 
 The way I succeeded in finding out the number of the 
 stall was this : I knew beforehand that in all theatres 
 where the stalls are divided down the centre by a passage, 
 the uneven numbers are on the right, and the even on the 
 left. As at the Vaudeville each row was composed of ten 
 stalls, it followed that on the right hand the several rows 
 must begin with one, twenty-one, forty-one, and so on, 
 increasing by twenty each. Guided by this, I had no 
 difficulty in discovering that my opponent was seated in 
 number sixty-nine, representing the fifth stall in the fourth 
 row. I had prolonged the conversation for the double 
 purpose of giving more brilliancy to my experiment, and 
 gaining time to make my researches. Thus I applied my 
 process of two simultaneous thoughts, to which I have 
 already alluded. 
 
 As I am now explaining matters, I may as well tell my 
 readers some of the artifices that added material brilliancy 
 to the second sight. I have already said this experiment 
 was the result of a material communication between my- 
 self and my son, which no one could detect. Its combina- 
 tions enabled us to describe any conceivable object ; but, 
 though this was a splendid result, I saw that I should soon 
 encounter unheard-of difficulties in executing it. 
 
 The experiment of second sight always formed the ter- 
 mination of my performance. Each evening I saw unbe- 
 lievers arrive with all sorts of articles to triumph over a 
 secret which they could not unravel. Before going to see 
 Robert-Houdin's son a council was held, in which an object 
 that must embarrass the father was chosen. Among these
 
 270 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 were half-effaced antique medals, minerals, books printed 
 in characters of every description (living and dead lan- 
 guages), coats-of-arms, microscopic objects, &c. 
 
 But what caused me the greatest difficulty was in finding 
 out the contents of parcels, often tied with a string, or even 
 sealed up. But I had managed to contend successfully 
 against all these attempts to embarrass me. I opened 
 boxes, purses, pocket-books, &c., with great ease, and un- 
 noticed, while appearing to be engaged on something quite 
 different. Were a sealed parcel offered me, I cut a small 
 slit in the paper with the nail of my left thumb, which I 
 always purposely kept very long and sharp, and thus dis- 
 covered what it contained. One essential condition was 
 excellent sight, and that I possessed to perfection. I 
 owed it originally to my old trade, and practice daily im- 
 proved it. An equally indispensable necessity was to 
 know the name of every object offered me. It was not 
 enough to say, for instance, " It is a coin ;" but my son 
 must give its technical name, its value, the country in 
 which it was current, and the year in which it was struck. 
 Thus, for instance, if an English crown were handed me, 
 my son was expected to state that it was struck in the 
 reign of George IV., and had an intrinsic value of six 
 francs eighteen centimes. 
 
 Aided by an excellent memory, we had managed to 
 classify in our heads the name and value of all foreign 
 money. We could also describe a coat-of-arms in heraldic 
 
 terms. Thus, on the arms of the house of X being 
 
 handed me, my son would reply : " Field gules, with two 
 croziers argent in pale." This knowledge was very useful 
 to us in the salons of the Faubourg Saint Germain, where 
 we were frequently summoned. 
 
 I had also learned the characters though unable to
 
 A VALUABLE FRIEND. 271 
 
 translate a word of an infinity of languages, such as 
 Chinese, Russian, Turkish, Greek, Hebrew, &c. We 
 knew, too, the names of all surgical instruments, so that a 
 surgical pocket-book, however complicated it might be, 
 could not embarrass us. Lastly, I had a very sufficient 
 knowledge of mineralogy, precious stones, antiquities, and 
 curiosities ; but I had at my command every possible re- 
 source for acquiring these studies, as one of my dearest 
 and best friends, Aristide le Carpentier, a learned anti- 
 quary, and uncle of the talented composer of the same 
 name, had, and still has, a cabinet of antique curiosities, 
 which makes the keepers of the imperial museums fierce 
 with envy. My son and I spent many long days in learn- 
 ing here names and dates, of which we afterwards made a 
 learned display. Le Carpentier taught me many things, 
 and, among others, he described various signs by which 
 to recognise old coins when the die is worn off. Thus, a 
 Trajan, a Tiberius, or a Marcus Aurelius became as fami- 
 liar to me as a five-franc piece. 
 
 Owing to my old trade, I could open a watch with ease, 
 and do it with one hand, so as to be able to read the 
 maker's name without the public suspecting it: then I 
 shut up the watch again and the trick was ready ; my son 
 managed the rest of the business. 
 
 But that power of memory which my son possessed in 
 an eminent degree certainly did us the greatest service. 
 When we went to private houses, he needed only a very 
 rapid inspection, in order to know all the objects in a 
 room, as well as the various ornaments worn by the spec- 
 tators, such as ch&telaines, pins, eye-glasses, fans, brooches, 
 rings, bouquets, &c. He thus could describe these objects 
 with the greatest ease, when I pointed them out to him by 
 our secret communication. Here is an instance :
 
 272 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT HOUDIN. 
 
 One evening, at a house in the Chausse'e d'Antin, and at 
 the end of a performance which had been as successful as 
 it was loudly applauded, I remembered that, while passing 
 through the next room to the one we were now in, I had 
 begged my son to cast a glance at a library and remember 
 the titles of some of the books, as well as the order they 
 were arranged in. No one had noticed this rapid exami- 
 nation. 
 
 "To end the second sight experiment, sir," I said to 
 the master of the house, " I will prove to you that my son 
 can read through a wall. Will you lend me a book ?" 
 
 I was naturally conducted to the library in question, 
 which I pretended now to see for the first time, and I laid 
 my finger on a book. 
 
 "Emile," I said to my son, " What is the name of this 
 work?" 
 
 "It is Buffon," he replied, quickly. 
 
 "And the one by its side?" an incredulous spectator 
 hastened to ask. 
 
 " On the right or left?" my son asked. 
 
 " On the right," the speaker said, having a good reason 
 for choosing this book, for the lettering was very small. 
 
 " The Travels of Anacharsis the Younger," the boy 
 replied. "But," he added, "had you asked the name of 
 the book on the left, sir, I should have said Lamartine's 
 Poetry. A little to the right of this row , I see Cre'bil- 
 lon's works; below, two volumes of Fleury's Memoirs;" 
 and my son thus named a dozen books before he stopped. 
 
 The spectators had not said a word during this descrip- 
 tion, as they felt so amazed ; but when the experiment 
 had ended, all complimented us by clapping their hands.
 
 A THEATRICAL AGENT. 273 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Seductions of a Theatrical Agent How to gain One Hundred Thou- 
 sand Francs I start for Brussels A lucky Two-Sou Piece Mise- 
 ries of professional Travelling The Park Theatre Tyranny of a 
 Porter Full House Small Receipts Deceptions Return to Paris. 
 
 HAD it not been for my constant toil and the inconveni- 
 ences attached to it, I should have been quite happy and 
 satisfied with the daily profit my performances brought me 
 in. But one fine day the demon of seduction presented 
 himself before me in the obsequious form of a theatrical 
 agent. 
 
 "Monsieur Robert-Houdin," he said, with a smile on 
 his lips, as if we were old friends, " I am commissioned by 
 
 M. X , manager of the royal theatres of Brussels, to 
 
 offer you an engagement for the summer season." 
 
 My first answer was a refusal, which I based on excel- 
 lent reasons. As I was very successful, it would not be 
 prudent to break the vein, while I saw no occasion to go a 
 long distance in search of advantages I could secure at 
 home. This reasoning would have settled any one but a 
 theatrical agent ; but nothing, it is well known, can shake 
 off the grip of these skillful crimps. 
 
 " Permit me, Monsieur Robert-Houdin, not to be quite 
 of your opinion. I allow, of course, that with your talents 
 you are always secure of good receipts, but you should 
 bear in mind that the dog-days are approaching, and your 
 
 S
 
 274 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 room is stifling in summer. This consideration might in- 
 duce the Parisian public to defer till autumn the pleasure 
 of witnessing your performances, while, by going to Brus- 
 sels, where the theatres are large and airy, you would 
 have no reason to fear such a result. Come," the pleni- 
 potentiary continued, in a most candid tone, " I must tell 
 you, without wishing to natter you the least in the world, 
 that everybody is talking about you in Belgium ; I may 
 add, even, that the manager has been urged to make you 
 offers by a great number of his subscribers." 
 
 This flattering insinuation began to shake my decision, 
 and I offered in my defence reasons whose weakness only 
 attested to my indecision. My clever touter noticed this, 
 and thinking the moment arrived to strike his great blow, 
 said: 
 
 " Do you know, sir, the probable proceeds of my offer ?" 
 
 "No, sir." 
 
 " Well, make an estimate." 
 
 " It is impossible." 
 
 "Then, approximate." 
 
 " I must decline ; for I understand nothing of such cal- 
 culations." 
 
 " Well, then, I understand them, and am rarely mista- 
 ken," said the agent, stroking his chin, " and I tell you it 
 is an affair to you" (here my seducer stopped, as if to 
 make a most accurate calculation) "an affair of one 
 hundred thousand france." 
 
 " One hundred thousand francs !" I exclaimed, dazzled 
 at such a prospect, "you cannot mean it." 
 
 " It is precisely because I mean it that I tell you, and 
 repeat it again : you will clear one hundred thousand 
 francs by your trip. Add to this, the advantage of having 
 seen a splendid country, and being received with all the
 
 A SEDUCTIVE OFFER. 275 
 
 .attention due to an artist of your merit. You will then 
 return to your impatient spectators, whose curiosity, 
 heightened by their long privation, will produce you re- 
 ceipts far more brilliant than any you might have ex- 
 pected by remaining in Paris." 
 
 Being little conversant at that period with theatrical 
 matters, and having no reason to doubt the honesty of my 
 eloquent " humbugger," I easily believed his fine promises. 
 The chink of one hundred thousand francs still ringing in 
 my ears fascinated me ; and I gave way unconsciously to 
 the same mode of reasoning the inkstand inventor had em- 
 ployed. 
 
 "And, really," I said to myself, "supposing, for in- 
 stance, that " And, leaping from supposition to sup- 
 position, my calculations exceeded those of the agent. 
 But, in order to be reasonable, I concluded, like my friend 
 the inventor, in this way : " Well, to prevent any misun- 
 derstanding, suppose we say only fifty thousand francs 
 surely nobody can accuse me with exaggeration." 
 
 Though dazzled by this brilliant calculation, I strove to 
 conceal my desire of accepting the offer. 
 
 " It is all very well," I said, in my turn, after the style 
 of a perfect man of business, "but what are the con- 
 ditions?" 
 
 " Oh, most simple !" the crafty fellow said; "the same 
 as are made with all distinguished artists. Monsieur 
 
 X will pay all the expenses, but to cover those, he 
 
 will deduct three hundred francs from the gross receipts, 
 exclusive of the claim of the poor, and the rest will be 
 fairly divided between him and yourself." 
 
 " Still, I should like to know how much the sum to be 
 divided will amount to?" 
 
 "How is it possible to say ?" the agent exclaimed, with
 
 276 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 an aspect of the greatest sincerity. " With such success 
 as awaits you, it will be enormous." 
 
 In spite of my pressing, the agent always entrenched 
 himself in his exclamations, and the impossibility of mak- 
 ing such an estimate. Tired of the struggle, I at length 
 formed my decision. 
 
 " I will go to Brussels," I said, in a resolute tone. 
 
 The theatrical agent immediately drew from his pocket 
 a printed form, which he had brought in case of our com- 
 ing to terms, and we had only to add the stipulations to it. 
 
 "Tell me, sir," the manager's representative said, in a 
 conscientious tone, " will you have any objection to a for- 
 feit of six thousand francs ? As the engagement is recip- 
 rocal, you must find this but fair." 
 
 I only saw in the agent's request a very natural desire 
 to defend his employer's interests ; and I drew this con- 
 clusion from it : if the agreement was advantageous for 
 the manager, it must be equally so for me, as we were to 
 share the receipts. I consented to the clause, and affixed 
 my signature. The agent could not repress his satisfac- 
 tion, but he cleverly ascribed it to the interest he felt in me. 
 
 " I congratulate you sincerely on the engagement you 
 have just made," he said, as he offered me his hand; 
 " you will soon be able to tell me of the results you will 
 draw from it. By the way," he added, in a friendly tone, 
 after a pause, " will you now permit me to give you a 
 piece of advice?" 
 
 "Certainly, sir certainly.' 
 
 " I would recommend you, then, to take a collection of 
 showy bills and posters with you to Belgium. They do 
 not know how to get them up in Brussels, and they will 
 produce a prodigious effect. It would be also as well to 
 have a handsome lithograph, representing your stage ; it
 
 THE AGENT TRIUMPHS. 277 
 
 can be put up in the various picture-shops, and you will 
 obtain increased publicity." 
 
 These counsels, and the familiar, almost protecting, tone 
 in which they were given, appeared to me strange ; and I 
 could not refrain from expressing my surprise to the man 
 of business. 
 
 " What need of all these precautions ? I fancied I un- 
 derstood you that " 
 
 " Good gracious me ! all professionals are alike," the 
 giver of advice interrupted me ; " absorbed in their art, 
 they understand nothing of business. But tell me, Mon- 
 sieur Robert-Houdin, would you feel annoyed at netting 
 one hundred and fifty thousand francs, instead of the one 
 hundred thousand I promised you?" 
 
 "On my word, no," I said, with a smile; "and I con- 
 fess that, far from feeling vexed, I should be very pleased 
 at it." 
 
 " Well, then, the more you make yourself known, the 
 more you will add to the amount I stated." 
 
 " But I thought that notoriety was generally the busi- 
 ness of managers." 
 
 " Certainly, ordinary publicity, but not extraordinary. 
 You must see that is unlikely, as it will be all for your 
 advantage." 
 
 Though little conversant with business, as the agent had 
 just remarked, I saw that his arguments were not always 
 in accordance with logic. However, I consented to the 
 posters and the lithograph, in consideration of the pro- 
 mised results.' 
 
 " That is right," the agent said, his familiarity sensibly 
 increasing since the signature of the contract that ia 
 right: that is what I call managing things properly." 
 
 And my man left me, after complimenting me once 
 more on the arrangement I had made.
 
 278 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 When left to myself, I indulged at my ease in day- 
 dreams about the magnificent result promised me, and this 
 anticipated joy was probably all I tasted from the moment 
 of signing this engagement to its termination. The first 
 unpleasantness it occasioned me was a slight discussion 
 with my cashier, that is to say, my wife, who, in consider- 
 ation of her employment, had a deliberative voice in all 
 theatrical matters. I could not certainly have found an 
 employee of greater probity, or a more devoted clerk, but 
 I am bound to say that this clerk, probably through her 
 intimate connexion with her employer, sometimes ventured 
 to contradict him. Thus I feared when I described to 
 that functionary the brilliant perspective of my agree- 
 ment. 
 
 Although I finished my statement with this harmonious 
 phrase, on every word of which I laid a heavy stress, in 
 order to give it more value, " and we shall return to France 
 with one hundred thousand francs clear profit," my 
 wife, or rather my cashier, coolly said to me : 
 
 " Well, in your place, I should not have made such a 
 bargain." 
 
 "But why not?" I said, piqued by this unexpected op- 
 position. 
 
 " Why ? because nothing guarantees you the promised 
 profits, while you are perfectly certain as to your ex- 
 penses." 
 
 Wishing to cut short a discussion from which I did not 
 see my way out with honor : 
 
 " Women are all alike," I said, employing the phrase of 
 the theatrical agent; "understanding nothing of business, 
 they oppose one out of obstinacy. But," I added, tossing 
 my head, " we shall soon see which of us is in the right." 
 
 I confess that in this instance I allowed myself too
 
 ;OUB DEPARTURE. 279 
 
 easily to be led astray by flattering illusions ; but I must 
 add, that it was for the last time ; for, thenceforth, I was 
 so skeptical as regarded calculations, that my modest ex- 
 pectations always remained below the reality. 
 
 The period for starting soon arrived, and we made our 
 preparations with incredible activity, for I desired to lose 
 as little time as possible between the closing of my per- 
 formances at Paris and their commencement in Brussels. 
 
 The Great Northern line not being open at that period, 
 I was obliged to content myself with a post-chaise. Con- 
 sequently, I hired from a builder of public conveyances, 
 for two hundred francs a month, a diligence which had 
 formerly been used in the environs of Paris ; it was com- 
 posed of a coupe* and a vast rotonde, over which was an 
 impe'riale for the luggage. On the 25th of May, the day 
 fixed for our departure, my carriage was loaded with an 
 immense number of chests, containing my apparatus, and 
 after we had taken our places, the postillion's whip cracked, 
 and we started. 
 
 We took with us on this trip, besides my two boys who 
 performed with me, a manager, a workman, also acting as 
 servant, and my wife's mother, who came partly for 
 pleasure, and partly to help her daughter in her theatrical 
 details. Galloping through Paris, we soon left the Fau- 
 bourg and the Barrire St. Denis behind us. The weather 
 was splendid a perfect spring evening; my wife and I, 
 with the children, were comfortably established in the 
 coupe*, and as it was Madame Robert-Houdin's first jour- 
 ney, she was so delighted with it, that I believe, if I had 
 then offered her the calculation of my presumed profits, 
 she would probably have herself augmented it. For my 
 own part, I was plunged in a delicious reverie. I recalled 
 my journey with Torrini, and while giving a thought of
 
 280 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 regret to that excellent friend, I compared his carriage with 
 my brilliant equipage, his modest claims on fortune with 
 the magnificent prospects promised me; and I could not 
 help yielding to a feeling of noble pride when I remem- 
 bered I owed this position solely to my labor and to my 
 energy. Then, finding myself freed from the annoyance 
 of any theatrical administration, and my inventive ideas 
 abandoned, I experienced an undefinable comfort, and 
 were it not for the fear of making a pun, I would add, at 
 this moment I was really transported. 
 
 What would I have given to see myself thus bowling 
 along in my own carriage ! I fancied that the very 
 passers-by regarded us with a certain degree of satisfac- 
 tion; and in this infantile illusion I smiled upon them 
 most benignantly. 
 
 At some distance from the barrier we stopped. 
 
 " Will you please to get out and have your carriage 
 weighed? Here is the office." 
 
 "Before proceeding to weigh," the receiver of the toll 
 said, approaching me, " I warn you that I shall summons 
 you for carrying a heavier weight than the law allows." 
 
 I could not appeal to my ignorance of this, for no one 
 ought to be ignorant of the law ; I therefore submitted 
 philosophically enough to the threatened summons, and we 
 soon recommenced our journey, laughing heartily at the 
 incident. The shades of night began to cover the country 
 when we reached the environs of Senlis. An old beggar, 
 seeing us approaching, held out his hat ; I understood this 
 expressive gesture, and had the satisfaction of doing a 
 clever trick and a good action at the same time ; for I 
 threw out a penny, which fell in his hat. 
 
 I had hardly executed this adroit manoeuvre, when cries 
 of " Stop ! stop !" reached my ear; and at the same time
 
 A NARROW ESCAPE. 281 
 
 I saw the old man running panting after the carriage, and 
 shouting. The postillion at length stopped the horses, and 
 he was just in time a few paces further on, and our 
 heavy carriage would have been upset. The worthy beggar 
 had perceived that one of our wheels was on the point of 
 losing its tire, and as the old man in his haste had lost his 
 coin, and was beginning to look for it, I spared him this 
 trouble by giving him a five-franc piece. 
 
 How true it is that an act of kindness is never lost : to 
 a simple penny we owed our escape from an accident, the 
 consequences of which would have been incalculable. A 
 neighboring cartwright soon came up and told us it was 
 necessary to have the two wheels of the carriage repaired ; 
 and he gave us the following explanation of the accident 
 that had occurred : 
 
 The diligence had been standing for a long time in a 
 damp coach-house, and the felloes had swollen. The heat 
 produced by our rapid locomotion had dried them, and 
 they had caught fire under the tire. The operation lasted 
 four hours, and cost me forty francs ; this was, perhaps, 
 twenty more than it was worth, but what could I do but 
 pay, as I should have lost precious time by appealing to 
 the law ? 
 
 I was beginning to understand that travelling impres- 
 sions in a diligence are not at all of a nature to enrich a 
 traveller; but the reflection came too late, and I could 
 only continue my journey. I, therefore, did so, not very 
 gaily, perhaps, but at any rate with a degree of careless 
 resignation. 
 
 I will pass over the details of a thousand petty miseries 
 we had to undergo, like so many pin-pricks echeloned on 
 our passage to prepare us for more bitter deceptions. We 
 at length reached Quidvrain, the frontier town of Belgium,
 
 282 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 where we were to give up our horses and put our car- 
 riage on the railway running to Brussels; beforehand, 
 however, we had to endure the formalities of the custom- 
 house. 
 
 I hoped, as the theatrical agent had informed me, to 
 pass all my traps summarily, by declaring the nature of 
 my apparatus, and hence I went to the office and made 
 my declaration. 
 
 " There is only one way of passing your luggage, sir," 
 a clerk said to me, very politely. (Belgian officials are 
 generally very gentle and civil at least, I always found 
 them so.) 
 
 "Then," I replied, in the same tone, "will you have 
 the kindness, sir, to tell me the way, that I may profit by 
 it as speedily as possible ?" 
 
 " You must unpack your instruments, put an ad valorem 
 duty on them, which the comptroller will verify, and pay 
 25 per cent, on the amount, after which you can start as 
 soon as you please." 
 
 " But, sir, that is not possible," I said, greatly annoyed 
 at this contretemps. 
 
 " And why not ?" 
 
 " Because my instruments are not merchandise." 
 
 I then explained to my clerk that I was going to Brus- 
 sels to give some performances, after which I intended to 
 return to France with the same luggage. According to 
 the information the official gave me, it seems I had neg- 
 lected to fulfil a simple formality, through the want of 
 which the office at Quie'vrain would not let me go on with- 
 out payment. To pass my instruments duty free, I ought 
 to have applied to the Belgian Minister, who would wil- 
 lingly have granted me the permission. I could certainly 
 do so still, but I could not receive an answer under a week,
 
 THE DIRECTOR OF THE CUSTOMS. 283 
 
 and that was just three days after the period fixed for my 
 commencing at Brussels. 
 
 Hence I found myself between the horns of a dilemma. 
 I must either, after paying a heavy duty, lose precious 
 time in packing, valuing and unpacking my instruments, 
 or forfeit six thousand francs to my manager while await- 
 ing a ministerial reply. Although I made all sorts of sup- 
 plications to the different custom officials, I could only 
 obtain this answer, dictated bv their inflexible orders, " We 
 can do nothing." 
 
 I was in despair; in vain, conforming to the maxim, 
 " It is better to address the king than his officials," I 
 pursued the director himself with my entreaties ; he would 
 not hear a word. He was a stout, good-looking man, of some 
 fifty years of age, dressed in an enormous paletot, much 
 resembling in cut the one I have described as my jcostume 
 when learning my sleight-of-hand tricks at Tours. 
 
 We were both standing at the door of the custom-house, 
 near the high road, where my chests had been deposited. 
 Wearied with listening to my eternal remonstrances, the 
 director began talking to me about indifferent matters ; 
 but I always led the conversation back to the same 
 subject. 
 
 "You are a prestidigitator, then ?" my stout Belgian 
 said to me, laying a stress on this word, to prove to me 
 that he knew the pompous title by which the juggler is 
 distinguished. 
 
 " Yes, sir, that is my profession." 
 
 " Ah, ah ! very good ; I know several celebrities in that 
 art. I have even witnessed their performances with a 
 great deal of pleasure." 
 
 While my amateur was thus talking, an idea occurred 
 to me, which I immediately put in execution, for I trusted
 
 284 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 the result of it would powerfully aid in favoring my en- 
 treaties. 
 
 "What are your most striking tricks?" the stout man 
 added, in the tone of a perfect connoisseur. 
 
 " I really cannot describe them to you, it would be too 
 difficult. There is one which can only be appreciated 
 when seen; but I can easily give you a specimen." 
 
 "I should much like it, if you would," the official said, 
 not sorry thus to console himself for the trouble I had 
 caused him. My son, at this moment, was playing some 
 distance off on the high road, and kicking a pebble about. 
 
 "Emile!" I cried, hailing him, "can you tell us what 
 this gentleman has in his pocket?" 
 
 " Certainly !" the boy replied, without leaving off his 
 game; "he has a blue-striped handkerchief." 
 
 " Oh, oh !" the stout gentleman said, with an air of 
 astonishment. Then he recovered, and putting his hands 
 in both pockets to conceal their contents, 
 
 " That's all very good !" he added, with an air of doubt ; 
 " but chance may have aided that discovery." 
 
 After a slight pause, during which he seemed conside- 
 rably bothered, he continued ! 
 
 " Can he tell me, though, what is under the handker- 
 chief?" 
 
 " The gentleman asks what is under the handkerchief ?" 
 I shouted to my son. 
 
 " There is, he replied, in the same loud voice, " a green 
 morocco spectacle case, without the spectacles." 
 
 "That's really curious very curious !" said the man 
 of the paletot. "But," he added, shrugging his shoul- 
 ders, " I should much like him to mention the article under 
 the spectacle case." 
 
 And my incredulous friend shoved his hands in his
 
 A FRIEND IN NEED. 285 
 
 pockets. I drew a good omen from this last exclamation, 
 and so, desirous to ensure my success, I took my precau- 
 tions that my son should answer correctly, and I trans- 
 mitted him the question just asked me. 
 
 Emile, who had not left off his game for a moment, 
 exclaimed, as if anxious to get rid of us, " It is a piece 
 of sugar which the gentleman saved from his cup of 
 coffee." 
 
 " Ah ! that is too fine !" the director exclaimed, in a 
 tone of admiration; "the lad is a sorcerer." 
 
 My second-sight performance was at an end ; still I saw 
 with pleasure that it produced a lively impression on the 
 director of the customs, who, after some moments' reflec- 
 tion, himself returned to the subject we had left. 
 
 " Come, sir," he remarked, " I will infringe my regula- 
 tions for your sake. We will not open your chests ; I will 
 rely on your statement of their contents and value, and 
 you will pay the duty according to the tariff. When you 
 have reached Brussels, and have obtained the ministerial 
 authority to introduce your instruments duty free, I will 
 return you the money you have paid." 
 
 I thanked my new protector, and, a few hours later, per- 
 sonnel and luggage had reached the station at Brussels. 
 
 Before leaving Quie'vrain for ever, I will give my reader 
 an idea of the conjuring trick which enabled me to produce 
 those startling instances of second sight to which I owed 
 my deliverance. 
 
 I have already said that the director wore a paletot, 
 with large pockets, so, profiting by the art by which I had 
 so cleverly emptied Comte's pockets some time before, I 
 found out what he had in them, and my son consequently 
 learned it from me. As for the piece of sugar, it was easy 
 enough to perceive by its regular shape that it had come
 
 286 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 from a cafe* besides, I could have no doubt that a lump of 
 sugar, taken from the pocket of a man of fifty, and, above 
 all, a Belgian, must be saved from his after-dinner coffee. 
 
 At the Brussels station, a postillion who had thj-ee horses 
 out of work, offered to take our heavy carriage to the 
 Tirlemont Hotel, and I consented, for I really knew not 
 what hotel to go to. After driving through the city at 
 full speed, we entered a winding street, in the midst of 
 which our driver began smacking his whip loudly to an- 
 nounce our arrival, and with the skill of a practised driver, 
 he turned into an archway that opened on to the hotel 
 yard. We made a princely entre'e here, which reminded 
 me of our departure from Paris, for the master of the 
 hotel, his wife, and the servants, were all at their posts 
 ready to receive us worthily. We had gone safely through 
 about half the narrow entry, when our vehicle suddenly 
 stopped, as if riveted to the pavement : blows fell like hail 
 on the unhappy steeds, but these, though accompanied by 
 vigorous oaths and stimulants of every description, could 
 not conquer the unknown obstacle. 
 
 Being quite convinced that the road was clear on either 
 side, our postillion decided on trying a final effort ; so he 
 got down rapidly from his seat, took the horses by the bit, 
 and drew them forward sharply. The carriage appeared 
 to yield to this powerful attraction, and began to move 
 slowly. All at once a sound of breaking was heard, while 
 at the same moment cries of alarm issued from both com- 
 partments of the carriage. 
 
 The doors were hurriedly opened, women and children 
 emerged, and the last of our party was still on the step, 
 when the impe'riale gave way, and the numerous heavy 
 trunks crashed into the centre of the carriage. In the 
 emotion produced by such danger, I looked round my
 
 THE PARK THEATRE. 287 
 
 party, and thanks to Heaven, we were all safe and sound. 
 
 My wife and children were carefully attended to, while 
 I, though not entirely recovered from my terror, sought 
 the cause of this unforeseen catastrophe. I soon dis- 
 covered that our carriage, being too highly loaded, had 
 caught in the projecting sides of the archway, and that 
 this gradual and powerful pressure had forced the moul- 
 dering framework of our old vehicle to give way. 
 . In comparison with the misfortune from which we had so 
 miraculously escaped, the injury to the carriage was an 
 accident of no importance a loss which would be quickly 
 forgotten in the success that awaited us. The carriage 
 was sent to be repaired, and the accident was soon a thing 
 of the past, as we sought to recover from the fatigue of 
 our long and wearying journey. 
 
 My first walk in Brussels led me straight to the mana- 
 ger, who appeared delighted at my keeping my word, and 
 gave me a most polite reception : thence, I proceeded to 
 the Park Theatre, where I was to give my performances. 
 
 This building, lately destroyed by fire, was situated on 
 one of the most agreeable sites in the city, for it formed 
 the angle of a magnificent park, which is to Brussels what 
 the Tuilleries are to Paris. 
 
 During the summer no theatrical performance took 
 place, and it was to fill up this gap that the engagement 
 had been formed with me. 
 
 This theatre was city property, and I learned the fact 
 in the following way. The porter, whom the manager 
 ought to have recommended to give me all necessary in- 
 formation, stated to me that he was attached to the 
 theatre, both as keeper and head machinist. He also told 
 me, with pedantic gravity, that I could not drive in a nail, 
 form an opening in the stage, or, in a word, make the
 
 288 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 slightest change, until he, as responsible official, had 
 referred the point to the city architect. 
 
 " Such supervision is not possible," I said to this im- 
 portant personage. " How do you manage, then, when 
 the theatrical performances are on?" 
 
 " Ah, that is different. As the architect places confi- 
 dence in me, he allows me to do whatever I think proper, 
 and I am responsible for everything." 
 
 " If that is all, I can take the responsibility on myself, 
 and the matter can be settled at once." 
 
 " If you think so," the porter replied, in an ironical 
 tone, " you can apply to the city authorities ; the council 
 will take it into consideration, and you will receive per- 
 mission in a fortnight." 
 
 I saw that the crafty gentleman wished to force himself 
 upon me, but I soon destroyed his hopes by making him 
 understand I would allow no stranger to be initiated into 
 my mysterious arrangements. 
 
 This conversation had taken place on the stage, by the 
 light of a candle which the conservator of the royal theatre 
 held in his hand, but so soon as I had intimated my inten- 
 tion of doing without him, he turned on his heel and re- 
 tired to his den, leaving us in perfect darkness. 
 
 "Wait a moment, sir," I cried to him; "we cannot be 
 groping about in this way ; so, open the windows." 
 
 "Windows!" the machinist said, with a laugh ; "who 
 ever heard of windows in a theatre ? What use would they 
 be when the rehearsals always take place by candle-light ?" 
 
 "Excellently reasoned, my worthy man," I replied, 
 checking my inclination to laugh ; " I always thought like 
 you that windows could be done without if you had lights, 
 but when you have no lights " 
 
 " Why, then, you do as I do, you go money in hand to
 
 CHESTER THEATRE. 289 
 
 the grocer's and buy candles; I see no difficulty in that." 
 
 And, while making this reply, the porter and his candle 
 were gradually eclipsed. I had no time to lose in arguing, 
 and besides, this man, whom I would have gladly brought 
 to his senses under other circumstances, might play me 
 some trick that might prevent me performing mine. My 
 instruments would remain, so to speak, at his mercy 
 during the night, and he would have all possible facility 
 to do me some injury, which he could deny in safety. 
 Hence, I sent my servant straight to the grocer's, that 
 natural providence of any one who wants a light. 
 
 All my readers have probably read descriptions of theat- 
 rical interiors, and they are all much alike, although their 
 cleanliness and arrangement vary according to the intelli- 
 gence of the stage-manager. Nor is the same luxury of 
 decorations and accessories visible in all theatres; some 
 are literally encumbered with them, while others are 
 almost entirely wanting in these qualities. 
 
 I remember that, when giving a dozen performances at 
 Chester, I found the theatrical decorations charmingly 
 original. Properly speaking, there was only one scene ; 
 but, as it would have been impossible to produce the scenic 
 effect with this, the machinist had very cleverly painted a 
 forest on the back, and the scene moved on a pivot, which 
 my friend turned by the aid of a winch, and thus could 
 display a hall or a forest at will. 
 
 With such feeble resources, the scenic illusion was often 
 compromised, but, according to the machinist, the actors 
 corrected any glaring anachronisms of place by ingenious 
 new readings, and sometimes, too, by the expression of 
 their faces. 
 
 This machinist was like his scenery, for he filled many 
 parts; he was in turn porter, painter, wig-maker, pro- 
 
 T
 
 290 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 perty man, tailor, and ticket-taker; but with so many 
 strings to his bow, this worthy man found himself out of 
 work during three-parts of the year, for during that period 
 there were no performances at Chester. 
 
 But to return to the porter, machinist, and keeper of 
 the Park Theatre. This man could never forgive my re- 
 fusal of his services, and his impertinence and ill-will pur- 
 sued me to the close, and occasioned me continual annoy- 
 ance ; and although I complained to the manager, I could 
 obtain no redress. The porter, being paid by government, 
 claimed the right, like his brethren the porters of Paris, 
 of making his tenants feel his power and his independence. 
 
 I have performed in many royal theatres, but I never 
 had to deal with any but most polite machinists and mana- 
 gers, who could flatter themselves they were masters in 
 their own house. 
 
 However, I managed to surmount difficulties of every 
 description, and the day of my first representation arrived. 
 
 On this very day was opened that fiery furnace which 
 was called "the summer of 1846;" and the heat was as- 
 tounding. Still, the theatre was full, and the success of 
 my experiments was as great as I could desire. The 
 second sight, especially, produced an enthusiasm which 
 the generally cold inhabitants of Brussels expressed by 
 noisy bravos. 
 
 I was proud and happy, for, in addition to the satisfac- 
 tion success always produces, I foresaw the realization of 
 the theatrical agent's brilliant promises. Thus, to take a 
 slight revenge for my cashier's obstinacy, I never failed, 
 each time I left the stage, to say to her in a tone of tri- 
 umph: 
 
 " Well ! do you believe in the one hundred thousand 
 francs now? That's how I like business."
 
 FREE ADMISSIONS. 291 
 
 And I returned on the stage with a smiling and ani- 
 mated face. 
 
 The performance over, the curtain fell on the illusions 
 I had produced, as well as on those I had nursed as to my 
 receipts. They were equally ephemeral in either case, for 
 I had scarcely left the stage when I saw my manager 
 coming towards me in the attitude once assumed by the 
 steeds of Hippolytus, according to Theramene's recital. 
 He, so joyous at the commencement of the performance, 
 
 L'oeil inornc maintenant et la tete baiss^e, 
 Semblait se conformer a sa triste pense. 
 
 " Here, sir," he said, pointing to a small rouleau, " is 
 your share." 
 
 " What ! my share ?" I exclaimed, in a tone of inde- 
 scribable disappointment ; " and the rest ?" 
 
 " The rest, sir, has gone in the expenses, and the poor- 
 rate." 
 
 "But the rest," I still insisted "the rest, what has 
 become of it?" 
 
 "Well, sir," my manager replied, in a lamentable tone, 
 " the cashier states that the greater part of the audience 
 received free admissions." 
 
 Irritated by such an explanation, I hurried to the office, 
 and opened and closed the door violently. The employe* 
 turned towards me, and without being affected by my 
 abruptness, he bowed to me politely (another instance of 
 Belgian courtesy). 
 
 " How is it," I said, without replying to his bow, "that 
 so many free admissions were given without my sanction ?" 
 
 " They were given, sir, by the manager's orders," the 
 man replied, with a calmness that made me believe he was 
 used to such scenes, " and you must be aware," he added,
 
 292 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 in a conciliatory tone, " that there are numerous claims on 
 the first night of a new performance at a royal theatre. 
 Thus we have, for instance, the authorities, the city archi- 
 tect, the manager of the gas company, the newspaper 
 writers, the manager's relations and friends, the police 
 inspector, who has a right to a box ; and all these gentle- 
 men, as you may suppose, bring their families with them. 
 We have, again *-" 
 
 "Oh, sir," I replied, ironically, "for goodness' sake, 
 stop, for if you go on at that rate I shall begin to fear you 
 had not a seat left for the paying public. To-morrow, I 
 presume, I shall have to hand you back the modest sum 
 you Have just sent me. However, I shall certainly insist 
 on an explanation with the manager." 
 
 The next day I proceeded to call on M. X , with 
 
 the firm intention of evincing to him my dissatisfaction ; 
 but he was so ready with his explanations that I could not 
 be angry, and we ended by agreeing that, henceforth, all 
 free admissions should have my signature, and that they 
 should not be dispensed quite so liberally. 
 
 This measure, perhaps, checked some new abuses, but 
 was not enough to suppress them all,, for though the thea- 
 tre grew more and more crowded, my strong-box did not 
 follow the same progression. 
 
 Far from netting the fabulous sum which had so dazzled 
 me, I only brought back from my trip to Brussels an illu- 
 sion dispelled and experience, while, as my cashier had 
 predicted, my expenses rather more than balanced my re- 
 ceipts. 
 
 I have great reason for believing that, during my stay 
 at the Park Theatre, I was cheated out of my proper 
 share. It was my first affair of the kind, and I was 
 obliged to study at my own expense ; but, from that pe-
 
 TUEAT1UCAL MANAGERS. 293 
 
 riod, I was on my guard, and evaded every attempt at 
 fraud. I will add, too, that at a later date I had the 
 satisfaction of dealing only with managers of well-known 
 probity, to whom I gave my entire confidence without 
 ever having any reason to regret it.
 
 294 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Reopening of my Fantastic Soirees Minor Miseries of Good Luck 
 Inconvenience of a small Theatre My Room taken by Storm A 
 gratuitous Performance A conscientious Audience Pleasant Story 
 about a Black Silk Cap I perform at the Chateau of St. Cloud 
 Cagliostro's Casket Holidays. 
 
 THE recommencement of the performances on my own 
 stage largely recompensed me for my bitter impressions de 
 voyage. My room was taken a week beforehand for my 
 first performance, as well as for the following, and I had 
 to send away four times as many persons as I could re- 
 ceive. 
 
 This success had been foreseen by the theatrical agent, 
 and I owed it as much to my absence from the capital as 
 to the attraction my experiments held out. My repertory 
 was still a novelty to the Parisian public, as I had started 
 for Brussels at the height of my success. This did not 
 prevent me, however, from offering some new tricks, one 
 of which more especially produced a striking effect. 
 
 After my son had mounted on a very small table, I cov- 
 ered him with an enormous stuffed cone, which concealed 
 him from sight, and then, at the sound of a pistol, the 
 cone was thrown over, and at the same instant the lad 
 appeared at my side. Afterwards, in large theatres, and 
 especially in London, this trick was improved upon, and 
 Beemed more marvellous still. Instead of appearing by
 
 MINOR MISERIES. 295 
 
 my side, the boy was instantaneously transported to a box 
 at a long distance from the stage, where every body could 
 easily see him. 
 
 It is a well-known fact that a man cannot enjoy perfect 
 happiness in this world, and that the greatest prosperity 
 has its disagreeable side; this is what is called "the 
 minor evils of good luck." One of my special annoyances 
 
 was having a room much too small, which disabled me 
 
 . * 
 
 from satisfying all the demands made for places, and, 
 
 though I racked my brain, I could hit on no expedient to 
 remedy this inconvenience. 
 
 As I have already said, my room was often taken be- 
 forehand ; in that case the office was not opened, and a 
 placard on the door announced it was useless for any non- 
 holders of tickets to apply. But it daily happened that 
 persons, annoyed at being unable to enjoy a promised 
 treat, took no heed of the notice and went straight to the 
 pay place. On being refused admission, they abused the 
 money-taker, and still more the management. 
 
 These complaints were generally absurd, and of the fol- 
 lowing description : 
 
 " Such an abuse is most improper," one of these disap- 
 pointed persons said, with great simplicity; "I will cer- 
 tainly go to-morrow and complain to the prefect of police, 
 and we shall see whether Monsieur Robert-Houdin has a 
 right to have too small a theatre." 
 
 When these recriminations went no further, I confess I 
 laughed at them, but they did not always end in such a 
 pacific manner. My employe's were sometimes personally 
 attacked, and on one occasion my theatre was taken by 
 storm. The story is worth telling : 
 
 One evening a dozen young men, after heating their 
 brains by an excellent dinner, presented themselves at the
 
 296 MEMOIRS OF EOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 door of my theatre ; the notice they read only appeared to 
 them an excellent jest. Consequently, paying no atten- 
 tion to the observations made to them, they collected 
 round the door, and to employ the usual expression in such 
 cases, they began to form "the head of the tail." Other 
 visitors, encouraged by their example, collected, and gradu- 
 ally a considerable crowd assembled in front of the 
 theatre. 
 
 The manager, informed of what was happening, came 
 forward, and prepared to address the crowd from the head 
 of the stairs, after coughing to render his voice clearer. 
 But he had scarce commenced his address, when his voice 
 was drowned by derisive laughter and shouts, which com- 
 pelled his silence. In his despair, he came to tell me the 
 dilemma, and ask what he had better do. 
 
 "Do not disturb yourself," I said; "all will end better 
 than you expect. Stay," I added, looking at my watch ; 
 " it is now half-past seven, and the ticket-holders will begin 
 to arrive ; so, open the doors, and, as soon as the room is 
 full the public outside will be compelled to abandon the 
 ground." 
 
 I had sarcely uttered the words, when a servant came 
 in all haste to tell me that the crowd had broken down 
 the barrier, and rushed into the room. I hastened on to 
 the stage, and through the hole in the curtain, could as- 
 sure myself of the truth of the statement : the room was full. 
 
 I confess I was much embarrassed as to what I should 
 do. To have the room cleared by the neighboring guard 
 was a scandal I wished to avoid, and I could not calculate 
 the consequences. Besides, if the police interfered, I 
 should have to attend at the court, and thus lose precious 
 time. Lastly, the Prefecture, which had hitherto imposed 
 but a single sentry on me, would not fail to send a corpo-
 
 A SUDDEN INVASION. 297 
 
 ral's guard, at least, to the great increase of my daily ex- 
 penses. 
 
 I immediately formed a decision. 
 
 "Have the doors closed," I said to my manager, "and 
 put up a notice that, owing to a sudde^indisposition, the 
 evening's performance is postponed till to-morrow. As 
 this measure applies to the ticket-holders, be in readiness 
 to return the money to those who will not exchange their 
 tickets. As for me," I continued, "I have made up my 
 mind. I will give a gratis performance, and my revenge 
 will consist in compelling the public to be ashaWd of the 
 schoolboy trick they have played." 
 
 This plan arranged, I prepared to do the honors of my 
 house properly, and the curtain soon rose. 
 
 When I appeared on the stage, I noticed that the greater 
 number of the spectators evinced considerable embarrass- 
 ment ; still, I soon put them at their ease by the noncha- 
 lant air I assumed, as if ignorant of what had occurred. 
 I did even more. I performed with an unusual amount 
 of dash ; and when the time arrived to offer my small pre- 
 sents, I was so liberal with them that not a single specta- 
 tor was overlooked. 
 
 I need not say that I was heartily applauded. The 
 public vied with me in "reciprocating" compliments, and 
 thus hoped to compensate me for the annoyance they fan- 
 cied they had caused me. 
 
 An original and extremely comic scene was performed 
 when my audience lingcringly departed. 
 
 Nearly all the persons present had only seen in this 
 assault on my room a means to obtain places, and each 
 intended to pay for his seat after having occupied it. 
 
 But, for my part, I determined on maintaining the origi- 
 nal character of my gratuitous performance, even if my
 
 298 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT HOUDIN. 
 
 pocket suffered. Thus, foreseeing this feeling of delicacy, 
 I had ordered all my attendants to leave before the per- 
 formance was over, and they had obeyed me so well, that 
 manager, money-taker, and box-openers had disappeared. 
 
 I then posted ^gnyself where I could see everything 
 without being noticed. The spectators looked for the 
 office; searched all around to find some official; thrust 
 their hands in their pockets, and collected in small groups, 
 until, worn out, they went away. 
 
 Still, the public would not allow themselves to be beaten, 
 and for several days I had a regular procession of people 
 coming to pay their debt. Some persons added their 
 apologies, and I also received by post a note for 100 fr., 
 with the following letter : 
 
 " SIR, Having been dragged into your room last night 
 by a party of thoughtless young men, I tried in vain, after 
 the performance, to pay for the seat I had occupied. 
 
 " I do not wish, however, to quit France without paying 
 the debt I have contracted. In consequence, estimating 
 the price of my stall by the pleasure you caused me, I 
 send you a hundred-franc note, which I beg you to accept 
 in payment of the debt I involuntarily contracted. 
 
 " Still, I should not consider myself out of your debt 
 were I not also to offer you my compliments for your in- 
 teresting performance, and beg you to accept, sir, the 
 assurance of my consideration." 
 
 As the loss entailed on me by the assault on my room 
 was light, I had no cause to repent the decision I had 
 formed. On the other hand, the adventure became known, 
 and added still more to my credit, as it is notorious the 
 public prefer going to theatres where they are certain of 
 finding no room.
 
 DANTAN, THE SCULPTOR. 299 
 
 As a general rule, family parties came to see me, but it 
 was not unusual for a number of persons to form a rendez- 
 vous at my theatre. The following incident will offer an 
 instance : 
 
 The ingenious author of those eccentric caricatures, 
 which delight everybody who is not himself attacked, Dan- 
 tan the younger, came one day to my box-office. 
 
 " Madam," he said to the lady in command, " how many 
 stalls have you to let ?" 
 
 "I will consult my book," the lady replied. "Do you 
 wish them for to-night ?" 
 
 "No, madam, for this day week." 
 
 " Oh, in that case, you can have as many as you like." 
 
 " How, as many as I like ? Why, your room must be 
 made of india-rubber." 
 
 " No, sir, I merely mean to say that of fifty stalls I 
 have at my disposal, you can take as many as you please." 
 
 "Very good, madam, I now understand," Dantan con- 
 tinued, laughingly ; " then, if I can have as many as I 
 please, have the goodness to keep me sixty." 
 
 The lady, much embarrassed to solve this problem, sent 
 for me, and I easily arranged the affair by converting the 
 first pit row into stalls. 
 
 The reason why the sculptor required so many seats 
 was as follows : 
 
 Dantan, junior, has an enormous number of friends, and 
 the original idea had occurred to him of inviting a certain 
 number of them to Robert-Houdin's performance, and for 
 that purpose he had engaged these sixty seats. 
 
 I have mentioned this incident, because it both proves 
 the renown my theatre enjoyed at that time, and reminds 
 me of the commencement of one of the most agreeable ac- 
 quaintances I ever made in my life. From this moment I
 
 800 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 became, and have always remained, one of the intimate 
 friends of the celebrated sculptor. 
 
 Before knowing him personally, like the majority of his 
 admirers, I was unacquainted with his serious works, but 
 when I was admitted to his studio, I could appreciate the 
 full extent of his talent. 
 
 Dantan has in this room, arranged on enormous shelves, 
 the most perfect collection of busts of contemporary celeb- 
 rities. I do not think a single illustrious person of the 
 age is missing. Each is properly classified and arranged 
 as in a museum ; monarchs and statesmen, less numerous 
 than the others, are collected on one shelf; then come 
 authors, musicians, singers, composers, physicians, war- 
 riors, dramatic artists in a word great men of every 
 description and country. But the most interesting thing 
 in the gallery is that every bust is accompanied by its 
 caricature, so that, after admiring the original, you laugh 
 heartily at noticing all the comic details of the other. 
 
 On seeing these numberless heads, it is difficult to 
 imagine that one man's life could suffice for such a toil. 
 Dantan, however, has a remarkable talent in catching the 
 characteristic features of a face, and often enough he need 
 only see a person once in order to produce an extraordi- 
 nary likeness. Witness the following fact, which I will 
 cite as much for its singularity as because it bears an 
 affinity, in some degree, to sleight-of-hand : 
 
 The son of Lieutenant-General Baron D came one 
 
 day to Dantan, begging him to make a bust of his father. 
 "I will not hide from you," he said to the artist, "that 
 you -will encounter an almost insurmountable difficulty in 
 performing your task. Not only would the general never 
 consent to sit to you, but you cannot even be introduced to 
 him at home. As my father has been ill for many years,
 
 A DIFFICULT JOB. 301 
 
 he sees no other persons than his servants, and he keeps 
 almost always alone. Hence, you will have to manage to 
 catch a glimpse at him unawares, but I do not know how." 
 
 " Does your father never go out?" the sculptor asked. 
 
 " Oh yes, sir ; every afternoon at four my father takes 
 the 'bus and goes to read the papers at a room in the 
 Place de la Madeleine, after which he comes back and 
 shuts himself up again." 
 
 " I require no more," the artist said. " I will begin 
 making my observations to-day, and set to work to- 
 morrow." 
 
 In fact, at four o'clock precisely, Dantan posted himself 
 before a house forming the corner of the Boulevards and 
 the Rue Louis-le- Grand, and soon saw the general come 
 out and walk to an omnibus. The sculptor followed his 
 model and entered the vehicle with him, but, unfortunately, 
 the only two seats vacant were on the same side, and the 
 artist could only make profile studies, being very careful 
 not to attract attention. 
 
 At last the 'bus stopped before the Madeleine church ; 
 pursuer and pursued went in together to the same reading- 
 room, where each took up his favorite paper, and was soon 
 lost in the perusal. 
 
 Dantan had taken a seat opposite the general, and, 
 while apparently absorbed in a leader, took stealthy 
 glances at his model. 
 
 All was going on favorably, and the artist continued his 
 studies quietly for some moments, until the general, already 
 surprised that his fellow-passenger should come to the same 
 reading-room, caught his eye fixed upon himself. 
 
 Annoyed by this impertinent curiosity, for which he 
 could assign no reason, he attempted to foil it by forming 
 a rampart of his enormous paper.
 
 302 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 The face of the old baron disappeared, but the top of 
 his head was still visible, and Dantan would have been 
 able to continue his task satisfactorily, had it not been for 
 a frightful silk cap he wore. 
 
 Many a conjurer, even the most famous, would have 
 been checked by such a difficulty; but Dantan did not 
 long rack his brains, which renders his trick only the more 
 striking. 
 
 He went up to the lady at the counter, spoke with her 
 for a few moments, and then quietly returned to his post 
 of observation. 
 
 It is necessary to state that the reading-room, heated 
 by a large stove, was already quite warm enough ; but 
 suddenly an insupportable degree of heat filled the room, 
 and drops of perspiration stood on the foreheads of several 
 persons. 
 
 The general, who at this moment held the Gf-azette des 
 Tribunaux in his hand, and was doubtlessly amusing him- 
 self with some lugubrious drama, was one of the last to 
 notice the heightened temperature. Even he, though, at 
 length found it necessary to remove his silk cap, and put 
 it in his pocket, growling, " Confound it, how hot the 
 room is !" 
 
 The trick was done. 
 
 The reader has already guessed that the clever sculptor 
 was the cause of this vapor-bath, which he induced the 
 lady to produce by explaining to her his important mission. 
 
 This result once obtained, Dantan hastily made his 
 phrenological studies on the venerable head of the old 
 warrior ; then, rising from the table, he cast a final glance 
 over his features, photographed him, so to speak, in his 
 mind, and ran off to set to work. 
 
 A short time after, the sculptor sent the general's
 
 ST. CLOUD. 303 
 
 family the most perfect bust possibly ever produced by 
 his chisel. 
 
 Here I will close the parenthesis I commenced with 
 reference to the evils the smallness of my theatre entailed 
 on me ; and I will now begin another about the pleasures 
 my success procured me. 
 
 At the beginning of November, I received a " command " 
 to St. Cloud, to give a performance before Louis Philippe 
 and his family. I accepted the invitation with the great- 
 est pleasure ; for as I had never yet performed before a 
 crowned head, this was an important event for me. 
 
 I had six days before me to make my preparations, and 
 I took all possible pains, even arranging a trick for the 
 occasion, from which I had reason to expect an excellent 
 result. 
 
 On the day fixed for my performance, a fourgon came 
 at an early hour to fetch me and my apparatus, and we 
 were conveyed to the chateau. A theatre had been put 
 up in a large hall selected by the king for the represen- 
 tation, and in order that I might not be disturbed in my 
 preparations, a guard was placed at one of the doors 
 leading into the corridor. I also noticed three other doors in 
 this apartment ; one, composed of glass, opened on to the 
 garden opposite a passage filled with splendid orange- 
 trees ; the two others, to the right and left, communicated 
 with the apartments of the king and the Duchess of 
 Orleans. 
 
 I was busy arranging my apparatus, when I heard one 
 of the doors I have just mentioned open quietly, and di- 
 rectly a voice made the following inquiry in the most affa- 
 ble manner : 
 
 " Monsieur Robert-Houdin, may I be permitted to come 
 in?"
 
 304 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 I turned my head in the direction, and recognized the 
 king, who, having asked this question merely as a form of 
 introduction, had not waited for my reply to walk towards 
 me. 
 
 I bowed respectfully. 
 
 " Have you all you require for your preparations ?" the 
 king asked me. 
 
 " Yes, sire ; the steward of the chateau supplied me 
 with skilled workmen, who speedily put up this little 
 stage." 
 
 My tahles, consoles and tabourets, as well as the vari- 
 ous instruments for my performance, symmetrically ar- 
 ranged on the stage, already presented an elegant appear- 
 ance. 
 
 " This is all very pretty," the king said to me, drawing 
 near the stage, and casting a stealthy glance on some of 
 my apparatus ; "I see with pleasure that the artist of 
 1846 will justify the good opinion produced by the me- 
 chanician of 1844." 
 
 "Sire," I replied, " on this day I will strive, as I did 
 two years ago, to render myself worthy of the great favor 
 your majesty deigns to bestow on me, by witnessing my 
 performance." 
 
 " Your son's second-sight is said to be very surprising," 
 the king continued : " but I warn you, Monsieur Robert- 
 Houdin, to be on your guard, for we intend to cause you 
 considerable difficulties." 
 
 " Sire," I replied, boldly, "I have every reason for be- 
 lieving that my son will surmount them. 
 
 "I should be vexed were it otherwise," the king said, 
 with a tinge of incredulity, as he retired. "Monsieur 
 Robert-Houdin," he added, as he closed the door after 
 him, " I shall feel obliged by your punctuality."
 
 A ROYAL AUDIENCE. 305 
 
 At four o'clock precisely, when the royal family and 
 the numerous guests were assembled, the curtains that 
 concealed me opened, and I appeared on the stage. Owing 
 to my repeated performances, I had fortunately acquired 
 an imperturbable assurance and a confidence in myself 
 which the success of my experiments fully justified. 
 
 I began in the most profoi^d silence, for the party 
 evidently wished to see and judge before giving me any 
 encouragement. But, insensibly, they became excited, 
 and I heard several exclamations of surprise, which were 
 soou followed by still more expre'ssive demonstrations. 
 
 All my tricks were very favorably received, and the 
 one I had invented for the occasion gained me unbounded 
 applause. 
 
 I will give a description of it : 
 
 I borrowed from my noble spectators several handker- 
 chiefs, which I made into a parcel, and laid on the table. 
 Then, at my request, different persons wrote on the cards 
 the names of places whither they desired their handkerchiefs 
 to be invisibly transported. 
 
 When this had been done, I begged the king to take 
 three of the cards at hazard, and choose from them the 
 place he might consider most suitable. 
 
 " Let us see," Louis Philippe said, "what this one says : 
 * I desire the handkerchiefs to be found beneath one of the 
 candelabra on the mantelpiece.' That is too easy for a 
 sorcerer ; so we will pass to the next card : ' The hand- 
 kerchiefs are to be transported to the dome of the Inva- 
 lides.' That would suit me, but it is much too far, not for 
 the handkerchiefs, but for us. Ah, ah !" the king added, 
 looking at the last card, " I am afraid, Monsieur Robert- 
 Houdin, I am about to embarrass yon. Do you know 
 what this card proposes?" 
 
 U
 
 306 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 "Will your majesty deign to inform me ?" 
 
 " It is desired that you should send the handkerchiefs 
 into the chest of the last orange-tree on the right of the 
 avenue." 
 
 " Only that, sire ? Deign to order, and I will obey." 
 
 " Very good, then ; I should like too see such a magic 
 act: I, therefore, choose the orange-tree chest." 
 
 The king gave some orders in a low voice, and I directly 
 saw several persons run to the orange-tree, in order to 
 watch it and prevent any fraud. 
 
 I was delighted at this precaution, which must add to 
 the effect of my experiment, for the trick was already 
 arranged, and the precaution hence too late. 
 
 J had now to send the handkerchiefs on their travels, so 
 I placed them beneath a bell of opaque glass, and, taking ' 
 my wand, I ordered my invisible travellers to proceed to 
 the spot the king had chosen. 
 
 I raised the bell ; the little parcel was no longer there, 
 and a white turtle-dove had taken its place. 
 
 The king then walked quickly to the door, whence he 
 looked in the direction of the orange-tree, to assure him- 
 self that the guards were at their post ; when this was 
 done, he began to smile and shrug his shoulders. 
 
 "Ah! Monsieur Robert-Houdin," he said, somewhat 
 ironically, "I much fear for the virtue of your magic staff." 
 Then he added, as he returned to the end of the room, 
 where several servants were standing, " Tell William to 
 open immediately the last chest at the end of the avenue, 
 and bring me carefully what he finds there if he does 
 find anything." 
 
 William soon proceeded to the orange-tree, and though 
 much astonished at the orders given him, he began to 
 carry them out.
 
 CAGLIOSTRO'S CASKET. 307 
 
 He carefully removed one of the sides of the chest, 
 thrust his hand in, and almost touched the roots of the 
 tree before he found anything. All at once he uttered a 
 cry of surprise, as he drew out a small iron coffer eaten by 
 rust. 
 
 This curious " find," after having been cleaned from the 
 mould, was brought in and placed on a small ottoman by 
 the king's side. 
 
 "Well, Monsieur Robert-Houdin," Louis Philippe said 
 to me, with a movement of impatient curiosity, " here is a 
 box ; am I to conclude it contains the handkerchiefs?" 
 
 "*Yes, sire," I replied, with assurance, "and they have 
 been there, too, for a long period." 
 
 " How can that be ? the handkerchiefs were lent you 
 scarce a quarter of an hour ago." 
 
 " I cannot deny it, sire ; but what would my magic 
 powers avail me if I could not perform incomprehensible 
 tricks ? Your majesty will doubtlessly be still more sur- 
 prised, when I prove to your satisfaction that this coffer, 
 as well as its contents, was deposited in the chest of the 
 orange-tree sixty years ago." 
 
 "I should like to believe your statement," the king re- 
 plied, with a smile ; " but that is impossible, and I must, 
 therefore,, ask for proofs of your assertion." 
 
 " If your majesty will be kind enough to open this cas- 
 ket they will be supplied." 
 
 " Certainly; but I shall require a key for that." 
 
 " It only depends on yourself, sire, to have one. Deign 
 to remove it from the neck of this turtle-dove, which has 
 just brought it you." 
 
 Louis Philippe unfastened a ribbon that held a small 
 rusty key, with which he hastened to unlock the coffer. 
 
 The first thing that caught the king's eye was a parch- 
 ment, on which he read the following statement :
 
 308 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 THIS DAY, THE 6TH JUNE, 1786, 
 
 THIS IRON BOX, CONTAINING SIX HANDKERCHIEFS, WAS 
 PLACED AMONG THE ROOTS OF AN ORANGE-TREE BY ME, 
 BALSAMO, COUNT OF CAGLIOSTRO, TO SERVE IN PERFORM- 
 ING AN ACT OF MAGIC, WHICH WILL BE EXECUTED ON THE 
 
 SAME DAY SIXTY YEARS HENCE BEFORE LOUIS PHILIPPE 
 OF ORLEANS AND HIS FAMILY. 
 
 "There is decidedly witchcraft about this," the king 
 said, more and more amazed. " Nothing is wanting, for 
 the seal and signature of the celebrated sorcerer are 
 placed at the foot of this statement, which, Heaven pardon 
 me, smells strongly of sulphur." 
 
 At this jest, the audience began to laugh. 
 
 "But," the king added, taking out of the box a care- 
 fully sealed packet, " can the handkerchiefs by possibility 
 be in this?" 
 
 " Indeed, sire, they are ; but, before opening the parcel, 
 I would request your majesty to notice that it also bears 
 the impression of Cagliostro's seal." 
 
 This seal once rendered so famous by being placed on 
 the celebrated alchemist's bottles of elixir and liquid gold, 
 I had obtained from Torrini, who had been an old friend 
 of Cagliostro's. 
 
 " It is certainly the same," my royal spectator answered, 
 after comparing the two seals. Still, in his impatience to 
 learn the contents of the parcel, the king quickly tore 
 open the envelope, and soon displayed before the aston- 
 ished spectators the six handkerchiefs which, a few mo- 
 ments before, were still on my table. 
 
 This trick gained me lively applause, but in my second 
 sight, which was to terminate the performance, I had 
 really to sustain a terrible struggle, as the king had 
 warned me.
 
 SECOND SIGHT. 309 
 
 Among the objects handed me, there was, I remember, 
 a medal, which it was expected would embarrass me. Still, 
 I had no sooner taken it in my hand than my son de- 
 scribed it in the following terms : 
 
 " It is," he said, confidently, " a Greek medal of bronze, 
 on which is a word composed of six letters, which I will 
 spell : lamba, epsilon, mu, nu, omicron, sigma, which 
 makes Lemnos." 
 
 My son knew the Greek alphabet ; hence, he could read 
 the word Lemnos, although he could not possibly have 
 translated it. 
 
 This was in itself a severe trial for so young a lad ; but 
 it did not satisfy the royal family. 
 
 I was handed a small Chinese coin with a hole through 
 the centre, and its name and value were immediately indi- 
 cated ; and, lastly, a difficulty, from which I managed to 
 escape successfully, was the brilliant finale of my per- 
 formance. 
 
 I had been surprised to see the Duchess of Orleans, who 
 took a lively interest in the second sight, retire to her 
 apartments ; but she soon returned, and handed me a 
 small case, the contents of which she wished my son to 
 describe, but I must be careful not to open it. 
 
 I had foreseen this prohibition ; so, while the princess 
 was speaking to me, I opened the case with one hand, and, 
 by a rapid glance, satisfied myself as to its contents. Still, 
 I pretended for a moment to be startled by the proposal, 
 in order to produce a greater effect. 
 
 "Your highness," I remarked, as I returned the case, 
 " will allow me to appeal against such a proposal, for you 
 must have remarked that, until now, I required to see the 
 object before my son could name it." 
 
 "Yet you have surmounted greater difficulties," the
 
 310 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 amiable duchess retorted. " However, if it is not possible, 
 let us say no more about it, for I should be grieved to 
 cause you any embarrassment." 
 
 " What your highness wishes is, I repeat, impossible ; 
 and yet my son, feeling anxious to justify the confidence 
 you place in his clairvoyance, will attempt to see through 
 the case, and describe its contents. . 
 
 " Can he do so even through my hands?" the duchess 
 continued, trying to conceal the case. 
 
 " Yes, madam, and even if your highness were in the 
 next room, my sou would be able to see it." 
 
 The duchess, declining the new trial I proposed, satisfied 
 herself by questioning my son with her own lips. 
 
 The boy, who had long received his instructions, replied, 
 without hesitation, " There is in the case a diamond pin, 
 the stone being surrounded by a garter of sky-blue 
 enamel." 
 
 "That is perfectly correct," the duchess said, as she 
 showed the ornament to the king. " Judge for yourself, 
 sire;" then, turning to me, she added, with infinite grace, 
 " Monsieur Robert-Houdin, will you accept this pin in re- 
 membrance of your visit to St. Cloud?" 
 
 I thanked her highness sincerely, as I assured her of 
 my gratitude. 
 
 The performance was over : the curtain fell, and, in my 
 turn, I was enabled to enjoy a curious scene at my ease ; 
 it was to look through a small hole at my audience, who 
 had assembled in groups, and were talking about the im- 
 pression I had produced. 
 
 Before leaving the chateau, the king and queen again 
 sent me the most flattering messages by the person charged 
 to hand me a souvenir of their munificence. 
 
 This representation could not increase my reputation
 
 OPEN-AIR STUDIES. 311 
 
 that was not possible but it helped powerfully to main- 
 tain it. My performance at St. Cloud, more especially, 
 created a sensation among the aristocracy, who, until that 
 moment, had hesitated about visiting my small room. 
 Their curiosity overcame other considerations, and they 
 came in their turn to assure themselves of the reality of 
 the marvels attributed to me. 
 
 The summer heats were, however, beginning to be felt: 
 we had reached the commencement of July, and I had to 
 think about closing my theatre. However, instead of 
 running after fortune, as in the previous year, I occupied 
 myself with changing and improving my performance. 
 The task was heavy ; for I was filled with bold emulation, 
 as I could not conceal from myself that my success im- 
 posed certain duties on me, and that, in order to keep it 
 up, I must be constantly deserving of it. 
 
 The most painful part of my inquiries was, that my in- 
 ventions must be completed by a certain day and hour, 
 for the reopening of my theatre was fixed for the first of 
 the next September, and, for many reasons, I determined 
 on being punctual. 
 
 For two months I worked with great ardor, granting 
 myself no rest or pleasure. Sometimes, however, after 
 dinner on Sunday, I allowed myself a recreation which 
 may seem strange to many of my readers : I went to the 
 fairs round Paris, and studied the mountebanks. There I 
 amused myself, I may say, as much as any of the specta- 
 tors around me ; though the pleasure I felt was not of the 
 same nature as that of my neighbors. I amused myself 
 by seeing their amusement, and nothing more; for any 
 one who has seen this style of spectacle must have noticed 
 that the mountebank gives his public very little for their 
 money. The best part of the sight is often seen outside.
 
 312 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 New Experiments Aerial Suspension, &c. A Performance at the 
 Ode"on A Friend in Need 1848 The Theatre deserted I leave 
 Paris for London Manager Mitchell Publicity in England The 
 Great Wizard A Butter-mould used as a Puff Singular Bills A 
 Prize for the best Pun. 
 
 INSTEAD of being able to recommence my performances 
 on the 1st of September, as I had hoped, my compulsory 
 holidays, which might be called my "penal servitude," 
 were prolonged another month, and it was not till the 1st 
 of October that I was prepared to offer my new experi- 
 ments to the public. 
 
 My pecuniary interests were much affected by this de- 
 lay, but I trusted, correctly enough, to the zeal of the 
 public to visit me, as a compensation. 
 
 My new repertory contained the Crystal Box, the Fan- 
 tastic Portfolio, the Trepeze Tumbler, the G-arde Francaise, 
 the Origin of Flowers, the Crystal Balls, the Inexhaustible 
 Bottle, the Ethereal Suspension, &c. 
 
 I had devoted especial care to the last experiment, on 
 which I built great hopes. Surgery had supplied me with 
 the first idea of it. 
 
 It will be remembered that in 1847 the insensibility pro- 
 duced by inhaling ether began to be applied in surgical 
 operations; all the world talked about the marvellous
 
 ETHEREAL SUSPENSION. 313 
 
 effect of this anaesthetic, and its extraordinary results. In 
 the eyes of many people it seemed much akin to magic. 
 
 Seeing that the surgeons had invaded my domain, I 
 asked myself if this did not allow me to make reprisals. 
 I did so by inventing my ethereal suspension, which, I be- 
 lieve, was far more surprising than any result obtained by 
 my surgical brethren. 
 
 The subject I intended to operate on was my younger 
 son, and I could not have selected one better suited for 
 the experiment. He was a stout lad of about six years 
 of age, and his plump and rosy face was the picture of 
 health. In spite of his youth, he displayed the greatest 
 intelligence in learning his part, and played it with such 
 perfection, that the most incredulous were duped. 
 
 This trick was very much applauded, and I am bound 
 to say that my arrangements were excellently made : this 
 was the first time I tried to direct the surprise of my spec- 
 tators by gradually heightening it up to the moment when, 
 so to speak, it exploded. 
 
 I divided my experiment into three parts, each more 
 surprising than the former. 
 
 Thus, when I removed the stool from beneath the child's 
 feet, the public, who had smiled during the preparations 
 for the suspension, became thoughtful. 
 
 When I next removed one of the canes, exclamations 
 of surprise and fear were heard. 
 
 Lastly, at the moment when I raised my son to an hori 
 zontal position, the spectators, at this unexpected resultj 
 crowned the experiment with hearty applause. 
 
 Still, it sometimes happened that sensitive persons, re- 
 garding the etherization too seriously, protested in their 
 hearts against the applause, and wrote me letters in which 
 they severely upbraided the unnatural father who sacri-
 
 314 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 ficed the health of his poor child to the pleasures of the 
 public. Some went so far as to threaten me with the terrors 
 of the law if I did not give up my inhuman performance. 
 
 The anonymous writers of such accusations did not sus- 
 pect the pleasure they caused me. After amusing the 
 family circle, I kept the letters preciously as proofs of the 
 illusion I had produced. 
 
 The fashion this performance raised could not surpass 
 that of the previous year : I could not expect any other 
 result than filling my theatre, and that occurred every 
 evening. 
 
 The royal family also wished to see my new experi- 
 ments; and for this purpose the whole room was taken 
 for the afternoon, so that my evening performances were 
 not interrupted. 
 
 This performance, which the Queen of the Belgians wit- 
 nessed with her family, was only so far peculiar, that my 
 little room was filled with exalted personages. All the 
 seats were occupied, for their majesties were accompanied 
 by their respective courts, and a great number of ambas- 
 sadors and royal dignitaries. 
 
 As I had reason to hope, my noble spectators were sat- 
 isfied, and deigned to thank me in person. 
 
 In the midst of this gentle satisfaction, I had every rea- 
 son to believe that I possessed the favor of the public ; I 
 learned, though, at a heavy penalty, that even if the favor 
 of that sovereign may appear secured, a trifle will cause it 
 almost to expire. 
 
 On the 18th of February, 1848, Madame Dorval took 
 her benefit at the Ode"on, and I promised that eminent 
 actress to perform some of my tricks as an interlude. 
 
 I was punctual to my appointment across the water ;
 
 A SAD ACCIDENT. 315 
 
 half-past eleven struck, when the curtain fell just prior to 
 my performance. As I had been ready to begin for some 
 time, ten minutes were sufficient to give a final glance to 
 my preparations. 
 
 My first care, on taking possession of the stage, had 
 been to conceal my operations from indiscreet eyes ; hence, 
 I had dismissed everybody. Unfortunately, I had not 
 even made an exception in favor of the stage-manager, 
 and the sorrowful effects of this measure will now be seen. 
 
 In most excellent humor, I ordered my servant to give 
 the three usual taps, and the orchestra began playing 
 while I walked to the side-scene, prior to making my ap- 
 pearance. But at the moment the curtain rose, I remem- 
 bered I had forgotten one of my "accessories," and I ran 
 to my dressing-room to fetch it. Unfortunately, in my 
 hurry, I did not notice that the machinist had inadver- 
 tently left a small trap open, and my leg slipped into it 
 up to the knee. 
 
 The pain drew from me a sharp cry of distress ; my ser- 
 vant ran up, and he could only release me with some diffi- 
 culty. But I was in a sad state, for my trouser was torn 
 completely up, exposing my bleeding and lacerated leg. 
 
 In this unhappy condition, I could not possibly return 
 to the stage ; hence I looked around in search of some one 
 to announce to the public the accident that had happened 
 to me, but I could only see two firemen. They would not 
 do for so delicate a mission, and although I had my ser- 
 vant, this worthy lad was a negro with woolly head, blub- 
 ber lips, and an ebony skin, whose simple language would 
 not have failed to raise a laugh at my painful position. 
 
 The stage-manager alone could undertake the mission ; 
 but where should I find him? 
 
 These reflections, prompt as lightning, were interrupted
 
 316 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 by the commencement of a storm in the theatre ; the pub- 
 lic summoned me, for it must be remembered the curtain 
 had risen, and in the eyes of the public I had missed my 
 entrance; this was disrespect, and, therefore, unpardon- 
 able! 
 
 My negro, without caring for what was passing else- 
 where, tore up his handkerchief and mine, and bound my 
 wound with considerable skill. This did not prevent me 
 suffering severe pain, but I soon experienced a torture a 
 thousand-fold greater when I heard a violent storm burst 
 out in the house. The public, who had begun by stamp- 
 ing, were now hissing, shouting, and yelling in all the dis- 
 cordant tones of dissatisfaction. 
 
 Overcoming my pain, I changed my trousers in haste, 
 and decided on going myself to describe my accident. I 
 therefore walked slowly to the door of the stage, and I 
 was just going to open it, when a frightful noise turned 
 me cold with terror, and checked me. My heart failed 
 me. Still, I put a stop to this. " Courage," I said to 
 myself, with a supreme effort "courage!" and straight- 
 way throwing open the folding doors, I walked on the 
 stage. 
 
 I shall never forget my reception. On one hand, cries, 
 hisses, yells; on the other, clapping of hands and ap- 
 plause, enough to wake the dead. The two parties were 
 apparently attempting to conquer each other in making a 
 noise. 
 
 Pale and trembling at such a rough reception, I waited 
 patiently for a moment when the combatants, wearied with 
 the contest, would allow me to explain my delay. This 
 moment at length arrived, and I was enabled to describe 
 my painful adventure. My paleness testified to the truth 
 of my words. The public allowed themselves to be dis-
 
 A POWERFUL PROTECTOR. . 317 
 
 armed, and hisses were no longer mingled with the ap- 
 plause which greeted my explanation. 
 
 Any one who knows the*relief and comfort bravos and 
 hearty applause arouse in the heart of an actor, will un- 
 derstand the sudden change they produced in me. The 
 blood rushed to my cheeks and restored my color, my 
 strength returned, and, possessed by fresh energy, I stated 
 to the public that I found myself so much recovered that 
 I would go on with my performance. I did so ; and such 
 was the power of my excitement, that I scarce felt the 
 pain produced by my wound. 
 
 I have said that, on my appearance, I was saluted by 
 demonstrations of a very different nature. Although many 
 of my spectators hissed, others applauded me. Truth ex- 
 torts a confession from me. I was supported on this even- 
 ing by an omnipotent protector. 
 
 This requires an explanation. Hence, that my readers 
 may solve the enigma, I am obliged to narrate a slight 
 anecdote : 
 
 At the period when I invented my experiment of second 
 sight, several Parisian managers proposed to me to per- 
 form, as an interlude, in their theatres, but I had refused, 
 because, as I was tired by my own performances, I did not 
 wish to prolong them. My determination on this point 
 was quite formed, when I received a visit from an actress 
 
 of the Palais Royal, Madame M , who performed the 
 
 part of duennas. 
 
 " I have not the honor of your acquaintance, sir," she 
 said, with a certain degree of hesitation, " hence I am al- 
 most afraid to ask you to render me a great service. 
 These are the circumstances of the case: our excellent 
 manager, Dormeuil, has offered me a benefit, the profits 
 of which are intended to release my son from the conscrip-
 
 318 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUD1N. 
 
 tion. It only depends on you, sir, to ensure the success 
 of the performance by giving me your assistance." And 
 the poor mother, deriving her eloquence from her love for 
 her son, painted in such lively colors the distress she would 
 feel from a failure, that, touched by her grief, I rescinded 
 my determination, and consented to add my performance 
 of the "second sight" to her bill. 
 
 I dare not form the flattering idea that my name had 
 any share in the success of the performance; still, the 
 house was crowded, and the receipts more than covered 
 the price of a substitute. 
 
 The next day the happy mother called to tell me of her 
 good fortune, and thank me. She was accompanied by a 
 gentleman I did not know, but who, so soon as Madame 
 
 M had ceased speaking, told me in his turn the object 
 
 of his visit. 
 
 " I have taken the liberty of accompanying Madame 
 
 M to compliment you on what you have done for her. 
 
 It is a good action, for which all her theatrical friends owe 
 you abundant thanks ; and, for my part, I hope, sooner or 
 later, to evidence my gratitude in my own way." 
 
 While flattered at my visitor's remarks, I was much 
 puzzled as to the sense of his last sentence. He noticed 
 it, and, giving me no time to reply, continued : 
 
 " Ah ! I forgot to tell you who I am, and I ought to 
 have begun with that. My name is Duhart, and I manage 
 theatrical successes at the Palais Royal. By the way," 
 he added, " were you satisfied with the reception you had 
 last night?" 
 
 This confession, I grant, robbed me of a sweet illusion. 
 I had fancied I owed my reception to my own merits, and 
 I now could not guess what share of the applause legiti- 
 mately belonged to me. Still, I thanked M. Duhart for
 
 HIRED APPLAUSE. 319 
 
 his kindness, both past and to come. Three months later, 
 I had almost forgotten this incident, when one day, as I 
 was going to give a performance at the Porte Saint-Martin, 
 my friend Duhart called on me. 
 
 " Only one word, Monsieur Houdin," he said, without 
 taking the trouble to sit down. " I read in the bills that 
 you are going to perform for Raucourt's benefit, and I 
 
 have recommended you to P , who will 'take care of 
 
 you.' ' 
 
 "I was in fact, "taken care of," for when I appeared 
 on the stage, I was greeted by a reception worthy of the 
 highest artistic celebrities. It was easy to recognize an 
 ovation warmly recommended, but I was glad to notice 
 that the public "followed suit," and that the bravos 
 emanating from the pit radiated through the whole honse. 
 
 A few months later, when about to perform at the 
 Gymnase, came another visit from Duhart, the same re- 
 commendation to his comrade, and a similar result. In 
 short, I rarely quitted my own stage but my grateful pro- 
 tector interested himself in my success. 
 
 I am forced to say that I let him do so, and saw no 
 harm in it ; far from that, these encouragements were a 
 stimulant for me, and I always redoubled my efforts to 
 deserve them. 
 
 I have taken a pride in relating this incident, for it 
 admirably depicts the character of a man capable of being 
 so long grateful for a slight service rendered to a friend. 
 However, the performance at the Ode'on was the last in 
 which the worthy Duhart went out of his way for me, as 
 the revolution of February arrived a few days later. 
 
 It will be remembered that this event was an utter 
 " smasher " for all the theatres. 
 
 After exhausting all the attractive baits of their reper-
 
 320 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 tory, the managers, finding all their attractions fail, vainly 
 formed a congress to relieve them from such a disastrous 
 situation. 
 
 I was invited to the meeting, but, though I put in an 
 appearance, it was merely through politeness, as I was in 
 a position very different from that of my brethren. 
 
 This position depended simply on the fact that my 
 establishment, instead of having the name of a theatre, 
 was called a "spectacle." Through this slight difference 
 of title I enjoyed rights infinitely more extended. 
 
 Thus, while the theatres could only have bills of a size 
 arranged by a police decree, I was at liberty, as the mana- 
 ger of a spectacle, to announce my performances in un- 
 bounded proportions. 
 
 I could also lessen or increase the number of my per- 
 formances at my pleasure, which was not one of the 
 slightest advantages of my management. 
 
 Lastly, I had a right, whenever I thought proper, to 
 put the key of my room in my pocket, dismiss my staff, 
 and walk about at my leisure in expectation of better 
 times. 
 
 All these advantages, to which I will add that of being 
 burdened^with very slight expenses compared with my 
 brethren, offered me no other result than that of not losing 
 my money. However I might try, the public remained 
 deaf to my appeal as to theirs. 
 
 I am mistaken though ; for some days I received very 
 polite letters from the Provisional Government, in the 
 shape of " free passes," which begged me to find room in 
 my hall for the students of the Polytechnic and St. Cyr 
 schools, accompanied by their tutors. 
 
 I was enchanted, it is true, by this amiable act of po- 
 liteness, which augmented the number of my scanty spec-
 
 FREE ADMISSIONS. 821 
 
 tators ; for I performed, at least, before a well-filled room, 
 and I had no longer the annoyance of seeing those unlucky 
 benches empty a sight which usually paralyzes the most 
 philosophic performers. 
 
 This illusion was, in truth, very ephemeral, for each 
 evening, after the performance, my cashier assumed a very 
 gloomy face on approaching me. 
 
 What disenchantment ! What bitter reprisals on the 
 part of the blind goddess who, for some time, had granted 
 me such sweet favors ! 
 
 Still, in these moments of distress, I may say with per- 
 fect sincerity deceptions and torment were not confined to 
 the profit and loss account ; and though a manager does 
 not take money, he desires to conceal his misery. Jn 
 order to produce a deception, he tries to furnish his thea- 
 tre, and he gives free admissions. I had recourse to this 
 measure ; but, what will appear strange, these tickets, 
 which, a month earlier, would have been regarded as an 
 immense favor, were viewed with considerable indifference, 
 and it often happened that people did not take the trouble 
 to accept my invitation. 
 
 Having become a philosopher through necessity, I ended 
 by resigning myself to seeing my room nearly empty, and 
 I sent out no more invitations. Besides, I had enjoyed 
 an opportunity of studying the "free admissions," and I 
 had remarked that this class of spectators is, or pretends 
 to be, quite indifferent to the performance. In fact, the 
 "free admission," when he believes the theatre short of 
 spectators, imagines he is doing an act of kindness by 
 accepting the invitation offered him. If he find the house 
 full, he fancies all the places are occupied by gratis tickets 
 (and he is sometimes correct), and he concludes from it 
 that the performance cannot be very amusing. If he 
 
 V
 
 322 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 happen to be mistaken, lie does not applaud, in his fear of 
 being taken for a gratuitous visitor, and pass for an ac- 
 complice paying for his seat in applause. 
 
 I was in the thick of my managerial troubles when, one 
 morning, I received a visit from the manager of the 
 French theatre in London., Mitchell (that is his name), 
 far from seeking to delude me by false promises, like my 
 Brussels theatrical agent, merely made me the following 
 simple proposal : 
 
 "Monsieur Robert- Houdin," he said to me, "you are 
 well known in London ; come and perform at the St. 
 James' Theatre, and I have every reason to believe you 
 will be successful. Besides, we shall be equally interested, 
 for we will share the gross receipts, and I will pay all the 
 expenses. You will perform alternately with my Ope'ra 
 Comique, that is to say, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sat- 
 urdays, and you will begin, if you please, on the 7th of 
 May next, or a month from to-day." 
 
 These conditions appearing to me very acceptable, I 
 may add, most advantageous, I agreed to them most 
 readily. Mitchell, then, offered me his hand, I gave him 
 mine, and this friendly sanction was the only agreement 
 we made for this important affair. Though there was no 
 forfeit on either side, no arrangement or signature, never 
 was a bargain better cemented. 
 
 From that time, during all my long connection with 
 Mitchell, I had many occasions of appreciating all the 
 value of his word. I may say loudly that he is one of the 
 most conscientious managers I ever had dealings with. In 
 addition, Mitchell adds an extreme affability, and a remark- 
 able degree of generosity and disinterestedness to the 
 merit of keeping his word. Under all circumstances, he 
 will be found to act as a perfect gentleman, and one of the
 
 MR. MITCHELL. 323 
 
 most brilliant qualities he possesses as manager, is his 
 courteous behavior to his performers. The following in- 
 stance will serve as a proof: 
 
 Jenny Lind was singing at Her Majesty's Theatre on 
 the same evenings I performed at St. James's, so that, 
 despite all the wish I felt to go and hear her, I could not 
 make up my mind to sacrifice a performance for this at- 
 tractive pleasure. However, in consequence of a circum- 
 stance too lengthy to detail here, I happened to find my- 
 self free on one of the nights when Jenny Lind sang. I 
 must add that, besides managing the St. James's Theatre, 
 Mitchell had hired a certain number of boxes at Her 
 Majesty's by the year, and, according to the English cus- 
 tom, let them out to the highest bidders. It happened at 
 times that all the tickets were not sold, and in that case 
 Mitchell gave them to a few privileged friends. I was 
 aware of this circumstance, and intended to ask him a 
 similar favor for this evening. 
 
 At the moment I was going out to seek my manager, he 
 came into my room. 
 
 "By Jove, my dear Mitchell," I said to him, "I was 
 just going to prefer a request to you." 
 
 "Whatever it may be, my dear friend," he replied, 
 politely, " be assured it will be willingly heard." 
 
 And when I explained to him what I wanted, 
 
 "Good Heavens! Houdin," he said, in a tone of real 
 annoyance, " how unlucky you should ask that of me." 
 
 "Why so?" I replied, in the same tone; "if it is not 
 possible, my dear friend, pray let me withdraw my 
 request." 
 
 " On the contrary, my dear Houdin on the contrary, 
 it is very easy ; I am only vexed at missing the surprise I 
 intended to offer you : I was going to give you an excel- 
 lent box for to-night : here it is."
 
 324 MEMOIRS OF KOBERT-HOUDIN, 
 
 A more delicate and amiable way of behaving could 
 hardly be suggested. 
 
 A fortnight had scarce elapsed since my interview with 
 Mitchell, when, after a most successful passage, I disem- 
 barked at London. On the moment of my arrival, my 
 manager led me to a delightful lodging close to the thea- 
 tre, and showed me all the rooms. On reaching the sleep- 
 ing apartment, he said : 
 
 " You have a celebrated bed before you : it is the one 
 in which Rachel, De'jazet, Jenny Colon, and many other 
 artistic celebrities, rested after the emotion produced by 
 their successes. You cannot but enjoy the ideas which 
 the remembrance of these illustrious guests will summon 
 up in your dreams. To any other than you, my dear 
 Houdin, I would say that these celebrated predecessors 
 must bring good luck ; but your success depends on the 
 virtue of your magic staff." 
 
 Mitchell, feeling desirous to add all desirable attraction 
 to my performances, had ordered a scene in the Louis 
 XV. style, as well as a curtain, on which was painted, in 
 letters of gold, the title adopted for my Paris theatre, 
 " Soirees Fantastiques de ROBERT-HOUDIN ;" consequently, 
 I could not begin my arrangements till all these prepara- 
 tions had been completed. 
 
 In the meanwhile, having nothing better to do, I walked 
 about daily in the magnificent parks, and collected my 
 strength, in preparation for the fatigues I was about to 
 undergo in my performances. 
 
 At this word "fatigues," my reader will be doubtlessly 
 surprised, for he has every reason to suppose that my stay 
 in London would be in some degree a period of rest, as, 
 instead of playing seven times a week, as in Paris, I was 
 only to give three performances in the same period.
 
 JUDICIOUS PUFFERY. 325 
 
 To explain this apparent contradiction, it will be enough 
 for me to state that the work and fatigue are less in the 
 performance than its preparation. As at St. James's 
 Theatre I had to perform alternately with the Comic 
 Opera, I was obliged, lest I might impede these artists in 
 their studies, to give them all necessary time for their re- 
 hearsals, which, as is well known, occupy the greater por- 
 tion of the day. Consequently, I had promised to clear 
 the stage so soon as my performance was over, and not 
 occupy it again till the middle of the day on which I per- 
 formed. Add to this, that in my labor of preparing and 
 removing, the master's eye was not sufficient, but I had 
 for various reasons to set to work myself, and it may be 
 easily understood that this caused me enormous fatigue. 
 
 It caused me at the outset a species of comical regret to 
 find that my performances would not owe their success 
 entirely to my own merits. In England it is almost im- 
 possible to gain the ear of the public unless every possible 
 form of notoriety be resorted to, and the change from my 
 peaceful retirement in Paris was very startling. Whenever 
 I took my walks abroad, my name in gigantic letters stared 
 me in the face, while enormous posters, on which my vari- 
 ous tricks were represented, covered the walls of London, 
 and, according to the English fashion, were promenaded 
 about the streets, by the help of a vehicle like those we 
 employ in Paris for removing furniture. 
 
 But, however great this publicity might be, it was quite 
 modest when compared to that opposed to us by a rival, 
 who may be justly regarded as the most ingenious and 
 skillful puffer in England. 
 
 On my arrival in England, a conjurer of the name of 
 Anderson, who assumed the title of Great Wizard of the 
 North, had been performing for a long period at the little 
 Strand Theatre.
 
 326 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 This artist, fearing, doubtlessly, that public attention 
 might be divided, tried to crush the publicity of my per- 
 formances ; hence, he sent out on London streets a caval- 
 cade thus organized : 
 
 Four enormous carriages, covered with posters and pic- 
 tures representing all sorts of witchcraft, opened the pro- 
 cession. Then followed four-and-twenty merry men, each 
 bearing a banner, on which was painted a letter a yard in 
 height. 
 
 At each cross-road the four carriages stopped side by 
 side and presented a bill some twenty-five yards in length, 
 while all the men, I should say letters, on receiving the 
 word of command, drew themselves up in a line, like the 
 vehicles. 
 
 Seen in front, the letters formed this phrase : 
 
 THE CELEBRATED ANDERSON ! ! ! 
 while, on the other side of the banners could be read : 
 THE GREAT WIZARD OF THE NORTH. 
 
 Unfortunately for the Wizard, his performances were 
 attacked by a mortal disease ; too long a stay in London 
 had ended by producing satiety. Besides, his repertory 
 was out of date, and could not contend against the new 
 tricks I was about to oifer. What could he present to 
 the public in opposition to the second sight, the suspen- 
 sion, and the inexhaustible bottle ? Hence, he was obliged 
 to close his theatre and start for the provinces, where he 
 managed, as usual, to make excellent receipts, owing to 
 his powerful means of notoriety. 
 
 I have met many " puffers " in my life, but I may say I 
 never saw one who attained the elevation Anderson reach- 
 ed. The instance I have quoted will give some idea of
 
 THE WIZARD OF THE NORTH. 327 
 
 his manner, but I will add a few others, to supply a per- 
 fect idea of the man. 
 
 Whenever his performances are going to be given in a 
 large town, though they are announced with extreme pub- 
 licity, Anderson contrives to bring his wonders to the 
 notice even of those who never read the newspapers or 
 posters. 
 
 For this purpose, he .sends to all the buttermen in the 
 town moulds on which his name, title, and the hour of his 
 performance are engraved, begging them to imprint his 
 stamp on their butter-pats, in lieu of the cow ordinarily 
 represented. As every family in England eats butter at 
 breakfast, it follows that each receives, at no expense to 
 the conjurer, an invitation to pay a visit to the illustrious 
 Wizard of the North. 
 
 Again, too, Anderson sends out into the streets, before 
 daybreak, a dozen men, carrying those open frames, by 
 means of which, and with a brush and lamp-black, the walls 
 of Paris have been so long covered with puffs. These people 
 print the announcement of the Wizard's performance on 
 the pavement, which is always kept remarkably clean in 
 England. In spite of himself, every tradesman on open- 
 ing his shop, and every inhabitant proceeding to business, 
 cannot but read the name of Anderson, and the announce- 
 ment of his performance. It is true that a few hours later 
 these puffs are effaced by the footsteps of the passers-by, 
 but thousands of persons have read them, and the Wizard 
 requires no more. 
 
 His posters are equally original, and I was shown one 
 of a gigantic size put out on the occasion of his return to 
 London after a lengthened absence in the provinces. It 
 was a caricature imitation of the famous picture "Napo- 
 leon's Return from Elba."
 
 328 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 In the foreground Anderson was seen affecting the atti- 
 tude of the great man ; above his head fluttered an enorm- 
 ous banner, bearing the words "The Wonder of the 
 World;" while, behind him, and somewhat lost in the shade, 
 the Emperor of Russia and several other monarchs stood in 
 a respectful posture. As in the original picture, the 
 fanatic admirers of the Wizard embraced his knees, while 
 an immense crowd received him triumphantly. In the 
 distance could be seen the equestrian statue of the Iron 
 Duke, who, hat in hand, bowed before him, the Great 
 Wizard; and, lastly, the very dome of St. Paul's bent 
 towards him most humbly. 
 
 At the bottom was the inscription, 
 "RETURN OP THE NAPOLEON OF NECROMANCY." 
 
 Regarded seriously, this picture would be found a puff 
 in very bad taste ; but, as a caricature, it is excessively 
 comic. Besides, it had the double result of making the 
 London public laugh, and bringing a great number of 
 shillings into the skillful puffer's pockets. 
 
 When Anderson is about to leave a town where he has 
 exhausted all his resources, and has nothing more to hope, 
 he still contrives to make one more enormous haul. 
 
 He orders from the first jeweller in the town a silver 
 vase, worth twenty or twenty-five pounds ; he hires, for 
 one evening only, the largest theatre or room in the town, 
 and announces that in the Wizard's parting performance the 
 spectators will compete to make the best pun. 
 
 The silver vase is to be the prize of the victor. 
 
 A jury is chosen among the chief people of the town to 
 decide with the public on the merits of each pun. 
 
 It is agreed that they will applaud if they think a pun 
 good ; they will say nothing to a passable one, but groan 
 at a bad one.
 
 A NEW JOE MILLER. 329 
 
 The room is always crowded, for people come less to 
 see the performance, which they know by heart, than to 
 display their wit publicly. Each makes his jest, and re- 
 ceives a greeting more or less favorable ; and, lastly, the 
 vase is decreed to the cleverest among them. 
 
 Any other than Anderson would be satisfied with the 
 enormous receipts his performance produces ; but the 
 Great Wizard of the North has not finished yet. Before 
 the audience leaves the house he states that a short-hand 
 writer had been hired by him to take down all the puns, 
 and that they will be published as a Miscellany. 
 
 As each spectator who has made a joke likes to see it 
 in print, he purchases a copy of the book for a shilling. 
 An idea of the number of these copies may be formed 
 from the number of puns they contain. I have one of 
 these books in my possession, printed at Glasgow in 1850, 
 in which there are 1091 of these facetiae. 
 
 The charlatan style of Anderson's bills is most amus- 
 ing at least I regard it as such; for it is not presumable 
 that Anderson ever intended sincerely to praise himself in 
 such an outrageous way. If I am mistaken, it would be 
 more than vanity on his part, when I take into considera- 
 tion his conjuring talent. Hence I believe him to be very 
 modest at heart.
 
 330 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 The St. James's Theatre Invasion of England by French Performers 
 A Fete patronised by the Queen The Diplomatist and the Sleight- 
 of-Hand Man Three Thousand Pounds taken at one Haul I per- 
 form at Manchester The Spectators in the Pillory What capital 
 Cura9oa! A Torrent of Wine A Catastrophe Performance at 
 Buckingham Palace A Wizard's Repast. 
 
 BUT it is time to return to St. James's : the machinists, 
 painters, and decorators have finished their work, for the 
 2nd of May has arrived, the day fixed for my stage being 
 handed over to me. 
 
 In fact, every one was admirably punctual : the new 
 scenery was in its place at an early hour, and as, at 
 Mitchell's request, the rehearsals were suspended for that 
 day, the theatre was entirely at my service ; hence I 
 could devote myself quietly to the preparations for my 
 performance. However, all had been so well arranged be- 
 forehand, that I was in perfect readiness when the audi- 
 ence began entering the house. 
 
 It may be supposed I had taken every possible precau- 
 tion to insure success, for an experiment which must ex- 
 cite astonishment if it succeed, in the event of failure is 
 ruin to the operator. Hence I sincerely pity those sor- 
 cerers whose supernatural power hangs on a thread. 
 
 It is true that a skillful conjurer ought always to be 
 able to escape any diificulty that may occur to him ; still, 
 this sort of repairs verv rarely meets with success, for,
 
 AN EXPEDIENT. 331 
 
 after all, it is only a patching together, in which the cracks 
 are only too visible. 
 
 I had a mode of escape always at hand in any emer- 
 gency, but I confess I was much vexed when compelled to 
 have recourse to these secondary means, which, by pro- 
 longing the experiment, render it far less striking. 
 
 When a failure happens in tricks of skill an escape is 
 impossible, for a conjurer ought no more to fail in these 
 than a good musician play a false note. Whenever he 
 makes a mistake in such a case, it results from his want 
 of adroitness, which only time can correct ; but in our ex- 
 periments accidents at times happen which the most care- 
 ful man cannot foresee. In such an event, you can only 
 trust to the expedients which presence of mind suggests. 
 
 Thus, one day, I happened to break the glass of a watch 
 lent me for a trick. My position was awkward, for it 
 is a very clumsy termination to a trick to return an object 
 lent you in any way injured. 
 
 I quietly walked up to the gentleman who had lent me 
 the watch, and offered it to him, while being very careful 
 to keep the face downwards ; but, at the moment he was 
 going to take it, I drew it back. 
 
 " This is your watch ?" I said, confidently. 
 
 "Yes, sir, it is." 
 
 " Well, I merely wished to prove the fact ; will you, 
 sir," I added, sinking my voice to a whisper, "lend it to 
 me for another trick which I intend to perform presently?" 
 
 "Willingly," the obliging spectator replied. 
 
 I then carried the watch on the stage, and, handing it 
 secretly to my servant, I bade him go at full speed to a 
 watchmaker's, and have a new glass put in. 
 
 Half an hour later, I returned the watch to its owner, 
 saying :
 
 332 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 "I have just noticed to my regret that the lateness of 
 the hour will preclude me from performing the trick I 
 promised you ; but as I hope to have the pleasure of see- 
 ing you again at my performances, please to remind me 
 the first time you come, and I shall then be able to per- 
 form the interesting trick." 
 
 I was saved. 
 
 In the meanwhile, the public were entering the theatre, 
 but so quietly that, although my dressing-room was close 
 to the stage, I heard scarcely any noise in the house. I 
 was frightened at this, for such a quiet entry is in France 
 a sure prognostic of bad receipts for the manager, and 
 sinister foreboding of a failure to the performer. 
 
 When I was able to proceed on the stage, I ran to the 
 curtain-hole, and I saw with as much surprise as pleasure 
 the house completely filled, and presenting, in addition, 
 the most charming company I had ever yet performed be- 
 fore. 
 
 I must say, too, that the St. James's Theatre is a splen- 
 did establishment, for it is in some degree the gathering- 
 place of the flower of the English aristocracy, who visit it 
 not merely to enjoy the performances, but also to improve 
 their pronunciation of French. 
 
 One fact will give an idea of the elegance and fashion 
 of my spectators ; no lady is allowed to keep on her bon- 
 net, however elegant it may be ; she is obliged to leave it 
 in the saloon. This is, indeed, a thorough English fashion, 
 for the ladies come to the theatre in evening costume, 
 with their hair beautifully arranged, and low-necked 
 dresses, while the gentlemen are attired in black, with 
 white neck-handkerchiefs and gloves. 
 
 At St. James's, the pit only exists traditionally ; it is
 
 A KINDLY RECEPTION. 338 
 
 driven under the boxes, and its presence is scarcely no- 
 ticed. All the body of the house is filled with stalls, or 
 rather elegant arm-chairs, to which ladies are admitted. 
 
 The price of the seats is in proportion to the comfort 
 they offer ; each stall costs seven shillings, and you can 
 enter the modest pit for three shillings ; but this is no 
 dearer than at the Opera. 
 
 While I was surveying this elegant assembly with de- 
 light, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. It was Mitchell, 
 who came to give me a delicate hint about some invita- 
 tions he had thought it advisable to send out. 
 
 "Well, Houdin," he said to me, "how do you like your 
 examination ? does the audience please you ?" 
 
 " It is delightful, my dear Mitchell ; I may add, it is 
 the first time I ever performed in a theatre to such a bril- 
 liant audience." 
 
 " Brilliant is the very word, my friend, for you must 
 know that, among your admirers" (pardon me this word 
 of praise, but I am quoting Mitchell), " is the whole of the 
 English Press, which possesses a numerous staff. We shall 
 also have as spectators some gentlemen whose opinion ex- 
 ercises a very great influence in London drawing-rooms. 
 And lastly, a great number of places are occupied by 
 artistic celebrities, who will justly appreciate the Robert- 
 Houdin whom, to employ the champagne phrase, we have 
 made 'sparkle' as he deserves." 
 
 It may be imagined that, after this explanation, my 
 performance seemed to me a solemnity, and that I em- 
 ployed the utmost care and zeal in executing my tricks. 
 I am justified in stating that I obtained a legitimate suc- 
 cess. 
 
 Shall I now speak of the kindness and encouragement I 
 received from the audience of St. James's Theatre ? I
 
 334 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 will appeal to the celebrated artistes who have performed 
 on this stage before me : Rachel, Roger, Samson, Regnier, 
 Duplessis, De'jazet, Bouffe', Levassor, &c. ; have they ever 
 found in Europe spectators comparable to those of St. 
 James's ? Here there are no paid clappers ; they would 
 be superfluous, for the audience take upon themselves to 
 encourage the performers. The gentlemen are not afraid 
 of bursting their gloves, while the ladies make as much 
 noise with their tiny hands as their strength allows. 
 
 But I must stop, for I should fear, were I to continue, 
 drifting into the style of the Great Wizard. 
 
 My performances went on at St. James's, and amply 
 consoled me for my losses in Paris. Although I only per- 
 formed three times a week, their produce exceeded that of 
 my best days at home. My readers might imagine that 
 such unequivocal success ought to have satisfied me, but, 
 as I have said before, I am naturally ambitious, and I 
 longed for one decisive triumph I wished to have my 
 performance honored by the presence of the Queen. Un- 
 der happier auspices I doubt not that the honor would 
 have fallen to my share, but at the moment there was a 
 peculiar difficulty, which I saw no mode of overcoming. I 
 will describe it in as summary a manner as I can. 
 
 After the revolution, the French theatres, as I have 
 already said, found their receipts reduced to worthless 
 free tickets ; hence they sought in neighboring countries, 
 just as I had done myself, a public less engaged with 
 politics, and consequently more apt to yield to the attrac- 
 tion of amusement. 
 
 England was the only country that had made no change 
 in its habits of luxury and pleasure, and hence many 
 managers turned their longing eyes towards this El 
 Dorado.
 
 A FRENCH INVASION. 335 
 
 The Palais Royal Theatre, which, by the way, was not 
 the worst off, was one of the first to draw a bill at sight 
 upon the rich metropolis of England. 
 
 Dormeuil, its skillful manager, divided his company 
 into two parts, one remaining at Paris, while the other 
 came to the St. James's Theatre in the place of the Op^ra 
 Comique, which had ended its engagement with Mitchell. 
 Levassor, Grassot, Ravel, M'lle Scrivaneck, &c., received 
 a brilliant reception from our mutual audience. 
 
 This success became known in Paris, and turned the 
 head of M. H , manager of the Historic Theatre. 
 
 After making arrangements with the proprietors of a 
 London theatre (Covent Garden, I think), the impresario 
 also came across with a portion of his company to perform 
 his play of Monte Ohristo, which lasted two evenings. 
 
 The arrival of these performers, all of great merit gene- 
 rally, disturbed the peace of the English managers, who, 
 fearing with some reason the entire loss of their audiences, 
 resolved to oppose this dangerous invasion. 
 
 " The French and Italian theatres in London," they 
 said in their attacks, " can play on their boards whatever 
 pieces they like ; they are privileged to do so, and we 
 respect their right. But we will not permit all our thea- 
 tres to be thus invaded, or Shakspeare be dethroned by 
 foreign playwrights." 
 
 The question of theatrical rivalry soon assumed the 
 character of a national one. The papers took up the cause 
 of the theatres, while the public adopted the .opinion of the 
 press writers, and formed an army to fight against the new 
 comers. 
 
 M. H attempted, however, to perform Alexandra 
 
 Dumas's master-piece; but it was impossible to hear a 
 word, so great were the noise and confusion in the house
 
 336 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 during the whole time the performance lasted. Although 
 the manager persevered in his enterprise, he was at length 
 obliged to yield to this imposing protest, which threatened 
 to degenerate into a collision, and he decided on closing 
 the theatre. 
 
 Mitchell held out his hand to the unlucky manager, and 
 offered him the hospitality of his theatre, that he might at 
 least play his double piece once before he left London. 
 For this purpose he granted him one night of the Palais 
 Royal performances, and promised to arrange with me for 
 the next night. 
 
 I could refuse Mitchell nothing, and the drama was 
 represented in its entirety, after which the company re- 
 turned to France. 
 
 I granted this favor with the greatest pleasure, as it 
 obliged many amiable performers, and I will add that, 
 
 were a similar occasion offered me to oblige M. H 
 
 again, I would gladly accept it, if only to remind him 
 about thanking me for the first service I did him. 
 
 Fortunately for my hopes, an occasion was offered me 
 for performing before her Majesty, of which I gladly 
 availed myself, as it enabled me, at the same time to do 
 some slight service in the cause of charity. The occasion 
 I will here describe, as it affords a pleasing trait of Eng- 
 lish manners and customs. 
 
 A benevolent fete, the object of which was to open baths 
 for the poor, had been organized by the first ladies in the 
 land, and it was to be held at a delicious villa at Fulham, 
 belonging to Sir Arthur Webster, who had kindly placed 
 it at the disposal of the lady patronesses. 
 
 This graceful swarm of sisters of charity was composed 
 of ten duchesses, fifteen marchioness, and some thirty 
 countesses, viscountesses and baronesses, at the head of
 
 A FANCY FAIR. 337 
 
 whom was the Queen, who intended to honor the fete by 
 her presence. This was more than sufficient to dispose of 
 the tickets, however high the price might be. Still, the 
 ladies conscientiously desired to add some attraction, which 
 would occupy the afternoon agreeably. The first idea was 
 to arrange a concert, and, of course, the chief singers in 
 the metropolis must be invited to join, as the company was 
 so select ; hence the committee turned their eyes to Her 
 Majesty's Theatre. 
 
 But there a difficulty arose : they must ask each artiste 
 to display his talent gratuitously, and as this was begging 
 a, favor, the embassy placed the fair promoters in a deli- 
 cate position which they hesitated to accept. 
 
 Fortunately for them, these ladies had taken care to 
 enlist the services of my manager, whose intelligent advice 
 would be most useful in arranging the fte. 
 
 Mitchell was requested to call on the artistes, and he 
 soon drew up a most remarkable list : it contained Madame 
 Grisi, Madame Castellan, Madame Alboni, Mario, Roger 
 (then engaged at Her Majesty's Theatre), Tamburini, and 
 Lablache. 
 
 After the concert a divertissement was to take place 
 which must excite the public curiosity. A large number 
 of ladies, dressed in costumes selected from all parts of the 
 world, had promised to form fancy quadrilles on the lawn, 
 in which they would perform character dances, and for 
 this purpose elegant and spacious tents were erected. 
 
 But this spectacle could only last an hour, and there 
 were still two to be filled up, in which the guests could 
 only be offered the pleasure of walking about. It was 
 evident this was not enough, especially when we remember 
 the price of the tickets was two pounds. Hence the com- 
 mittee naturally thought of my performance. 
 
 w
 
 338 MEMOIRS OF EOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Mitchell had expected this, so he took on himself, owing 
 to our friendly connexion, to obtain my consent. He did 
 more, for wishing in his turn to offer his alms to the poor, 
 he offered to build, at his own expense, a theatre in the 
 ground, and transfer to it the scenery I had at the theatre. 
 This was, in some respects, removing St. James's Theatre 
 to Fulham. 
 
 Mitchell told me of this lucky event, from which he ex- 
 pected the best results, and I may say at once that his 
 expectations were realized. As soon as it was known that 
 the Queen would deign to be present at one of my per- 
 formances, many members of the aristocracy, who had not 
 yet visited the St. James's Theatre, sent to order boxes. 
 
 On the day fixed for the Fulham festival, I started after 
 breakfast for Sir Arthur Webster's residence. My mana- 
 ger, with the machinist of the theatre, had been at work 
 there from an early hour, so that, when I arrived I found 
 the theatre quite in readiness for me. Scenery, drops, 
 and curtain, everything, in short, was there, excepting the 
 foot-lights, for which the sun was an admirable substitute. 
 
 The public were to be admitted at one, and though I 
 was not to give my performance till nearly four o'clock, 
 all my preparations were made by the time the doors 
 opened. The lady patronesses were already at their posts 
 to receive the Queen and the royal family, and were as- 
 sisted by stewards selected from the highest members of 
 the aristocracy ; among them being the Duke of Beaufort, 
 the Marquis of Abercorn, the Marquis of Douglas, &c. 
 
 While waiting my turn to act, I thought I might as well 
 take part in the fete as a simple spectator ; hence I went 
 first to the entrance gates. 
 
 I had scarce reached them when I saw the Duke of 
 Wellington get 'out of his carriage, the popular hero before
 
 GREAT PERSONAGES. 339 
 
 whom gentle and simple bowed with respectful deference. 
 
 A few moments later appeared the Duke and Duchess 
 of Cambridge, accompanied by his Highness Prince Fred- 
 erick William of Hesse, and in a group immediately fol- 
 lowing these high personages, the Duchess of Kent, the 
 Duchess Bernhard of Saxe Weimar, and the Princesses 
 Anne and Amelia were pointed out to me. 
 
 These illustrious visitors were received by the lady pa- 
 tronesses with the honors due to their rank, while the band 
 of the Royal Horse Guards played national airs. 
 
 Outside could be heard the noisy and animated crowd, 
 pressing forward, at the risk of their lives, to see the car- 
 riages with the powdered and gorgeous footmen whose 
 heads are taxed so highly by the government. 
 
 The numerous subscribers flocked in : all wished to be 
 punctual, for it was known the Queen would grace the 
 fete by her presence, and an Englishman, great or small, 
 would not at any price miss the pleasure of seeing once 
 again the features of her most gracious Majesty. 
 
 The place I had selected was most favorable for observ- 
 ing the new arrivals and not missing a single person. 
 Still, whatever attraction this brilliant panorama might 
 offer me, I was equally anxious to see the interior of the 
 fairy palace, and I was just turning away, after directing 
 a parting glance to the entrance gates. I was glad I did 
 so, for at this moment arrived, close after each other, 
 Prince Louis Napoleon, our present Emperor ; Prince Ed- 
 ward of Saxe Weimar; Prince Lrewenstein, and several 
 other great personages whose names have escaped my 
 memory. 
 
 The gardens, the conservatories, and apartments, were 
 already crowded by all the rank and fashion of London, 
 and it was a hard matter to move about at one's ease. At
 
 340 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 each moment a formidable swarm of marchionesses and 
 ladies stopped the way, and forced me to yield the road to 
 them, in my fear of crushing the most dazzling dresses I 
 had ever seen. This was difficult enough, for whatever way 
 I might turn in my politeness, I ran the risk of finding my- 
 self in the same dilemma, so numerous and compact was 
 the assemblage at Fulham. 
 
 At half-past two the Queen had not yet arrived, and 
 there was a hesitation about waiting any longer, when 
 frenzied hurrahs, rending the air for the length of a mile, 
 announced her Majesty's speedy arrival. 
 
 The church-bells immediately began ringing, the band 
 struck up " God save the Queen," while the youngest and 
 fairest ladies formed a double avenue along her Majesty's 
 route. 
 
 These preparations were scarce made ere the Queen left 
 her carriage, and moving along an immense avenue, cov- 
 ered with red cloth, and sheltered overhead by a gay 
 awning, she walked towards the room where her arrival 
 was only awaited to commence the concert. 
 
 On reaching the room, the Queen took her place in the 
 midst of a circle formed by the lady patronesses, and the 
 concert began. 
 
 I should have gladly listened to the dulcet sounds, but, 
 unfortunately, the hall, in spite of its vast proportions, 
 could not contain all the spectators, and the crush was so 
 great that it was not only crowded, but the approaches 
 were invaded to the point where the vibration of the voices 
 finally died away. 
 
 Hence, I was obliged to content myself with hearing 
 outside the repeated applause bestowed on the talented 
 singers. Roger, especially, obtained a real triumph by 
 his aria from Lucia di Lammermoor, and the exquisite
 
 AN AMATEUR CONJURER. 341 
 
 way in which he sings it is well known. The Queen 
 herself commanded an encore. 
 
 The concert was scarcely over when, in accordance 
 with the programme, the Queen proceeded to see the qua- 
 drilles, in which magnificently attired ladies were to take 
 part. 
 
 I should have gladly witnessed this graceful sight, but 
 I thought it advisable to cast a final glance on my stage. 
 
 Hence, I proceeded towards the theatre, where a private 
 entrance had been prepared for me, and I was just going 
 up the few steps leading to it, when some one seized my 
 arm. 
 
 " Ah ! Monsieur Robert-Houdin," a gentleman said to 
 me, with a smile, as he prepared to follow me up the stairs, 
 "that is capital we will go in together." 
 
 "Where, sir?" I asked, much surprised at this pro- 
 posal. 
 
 "Why, on your stage," the unknown said, with an air 
 of authority ; " and I trust you will not refuse me that 
 pleasure." 
 
 " I am vexed to deny you, sir ; but that is impossible," 
 I said politely, knowing that in these grounds I could only 
 meet persons who must be treated with respect. 
 
 "Why so?" the gentleman continued, most pressingly. 
 " I find, on the contrary, nothing easier. If we cannot 
 go in side by side, we can follow each other." 
 
 "Pardon me, sir, if I refuse your request; but no 
 stranger is allowed on my stage." 
 
 " Very good," my assailant then said, pleasantly ; " if 
 that is the case, I will tell you my name, so that I may be 
 no longer a * stranger ' to you. I am Baron Brunnow, 
 the Russian ambassador, as great an admirer of your mys- 
 teries as I am desirous to find them out." And he con-
 
 342 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOTJDIN. 
 
 tinued his ascent, while striving to force the barrier. 
 "What, Monsieur Kobert-Houdin," he added, "do you 
 still refuse me this ? I only ask one or two explanations, 
 nothing more." 
 
 " I must persist in my refusal, Monsieur le Baron, for 
 several reasons, and, more especially, for this one " 
 
 "What?" 
 
 " Your perspicuity and talent are so universally recog- 
 nized, that I would not deprive you of the pleasure of 
 yourself detecting these secrets, which are hardly worthy 
 your powerful intellect." 
 
 "Ah! ah!" the Baron replied, with a laugh, "how 
 diplomatic we are. Do you wish to follow in my track ?" 
 
 "I am unworthy to do so, Monsieur le Baron." 
 
 " Very good, very good. In the meanwhile, I am re- 
 pulsed with loss, and forced to take my place among the 
 spectators. I yield ; but tell me, Monsieur Kobert-Houdin, 
 have you ever been in Russia ?" 
 
 "No, sir, never." 
 
 " Then give me your card." 
 
 And the ambassador wrote his name below mine. 
 
 " Here," he said, handing it me back, "if^you ever feel 
 an inclination to visit our country, that card will be very 
 useful to you ; and, if I happen to be at St. Petersburg at 
 the time, come and see me, and I will procure you the 
 honor of performing before his Majesty the Emperor 
 Nicholas." 
 
 I thanked Baron Brunnow, and he left me. 
 
 During this conversatian, the quadrilles were being 
 danced, and, before their termination, the crowd had oc- 
 cupied all the seats for my performance, save those re- 
 served for the royal family and the court. The Queen her- 
 self soon arrived, and I immediately received orders to begin.
 
 A DAZZLING PICTURE. 343 
 
 Would that I had a more skillful pen with which to de- 
 pict in its true colors the picture which revealed itself to 
 mj dazzled gaze at this moment ! At any rate, I will at- 
 tempt to describe it. 
 
 Imagine a large lawn rising before me in an amphithe- 
 atrical shape, and arranged like the pit of a theatre. It 
 would have been impossible to say whether the ground was 
 covered with grass or gravel, so thronged was it with la- 
 dies, who were alone allowed to sit down. 
 
 In the first row and nearest my theatre, the Queen, 
 having her royal husband on her right, was surrounded 
 by her young and graceful family. A little in the rear 
 the ladies in waiting and the lady patronesses formed the 
 royal escort. At a respectful distance behind, the wives 
 and daughters of the subscribers took their places, while the 
 gentlemen formed symmetrical groups round this vast space. 
 
 The sight was truly magnificent ; all the ladies, dazzling 
 with youth and beauty, covered with diamonds and flowers, 
 and rivalling each other in good taste and brilliancy, re- 
 sembled a vast enameled prairie, on which the richest 
 flowers of spring were displayed, while the black coats of 
 the gentlemen who enframed this smiling picture, far from 
 dulling it, only heightened the effect. 
 
 On either side of the lawn, old oak-trees lent their re- 
 freshing shade to this improvised theatre. 
 
 I felt a noble pride at that moment, when I thought 1 
 held, as it were at my fingers' ends, the witching eyes of 
 duchesses, at times so haughty, but now so gracious, and 
 which seemed at every moment to gain fresh brilliancy 
 at the sight of the surprises I offered them. 
 
 In this unique performance the time passed so rapidly, 
 that I was quite astonished when I found myself perform- 
 ing my last trick.
 
 344 MEMOIRS OF HOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Before leaving her seat, the Queen, although she had 
 several times evinced her satisfaction, sent me her compli- 
 ments through an aide-de-camp, who also expressed her 
 Majesty's desire to have a performance at Buckingham 
 Palace at a later date. 
 
 I had made every arrangement to start for town imme- 
 diately my performance was over, lest I might be delayed 
 by the carriages waiting at the park gates. An idea of 
 the number of my audience can be formed, when I say it 
 took me more than a quarter of an hour to pass through 
 the carriages drawn " up in double file along the road. 
 The receipts of the festival will supply a better proof: 
 they amounted to 2500Z.! 
 
 The next day the royal arms appeared at the head of 
 my bills, and below, the following passage, as a species 
 of baptismal certificate : 
 
 " Robert-Houdin, who has had the honor of performing 
 before her most gracious Majesty the Queen, Prince Albert, 
 the Royal Family, and the Nobility of the United King- 
 dom" &c. 
 
 My fashion only become the greater at St. James's. 
 
 We had now reached the middle of July, and no one 
 but an Englishman can understand the possibility of ob- 
 taining a theatrical success during the dog-day heats. I 
 must say,then, that among our brethren beyond the Channel, 
 where all our customs are inverted, the season for concerts 
 is from May to the end of August. In September the 
 aristocracy retire to their estates, where they remain the 
 the other six months of the year. 
 
 I followed the example of my audience : I quitted Lon- 
 don at the beginning of September, not like them to take 
 rest, but, on the contrary, to commence a life even more
 
 THE MANCHESTER THEATRE. 345 
 
 agitated than the one I was leaving. I went to the Man- 
 chester Theatre, where Knowles, the manager, had made 
 an engagement with me for fifteen performances. 
 
 The theatre in this city is immense; like the vast arence 
 of ancient Rome, it can hold an entire people. To give 
 an idea of its size, I need only say that twelve hundred 
 spectators scarcely filled the pit. 
 
 When I took possession of the stage, I was startled at 
 its huge proportions ; for I feared I should be lost upon 
 it, and my voice be unheard. 
 
 The reasons for the erection of -this immense building 
 were explained to me afterwards. 
 
 Manchester, as an eminent manufacturing city, counts 
 its workmen by thousands. Well, these hardy artisans 
 are all fond of the stage, and in their hand-to-mouth ex- 
 istence they often give up one or two nights a week to 
 this style of amusement ; hence a large space was required 
 to house them all. 
 
 Judging by the size of the house, I saw that many of 
 the tricks I performed at St. James's were unsuited for 
 the Manchester Theatre ; hence, I was obliged to draw up 
 a programme containing merely tricks that could be seen 
 from a distance, and whose effect would strike the masses. 
 
 So soon as my performances were announced, the 
 "hands" flocked in in shoals, and the pit, their favorite 
 place, was literally crammed ; while the rest of the house 
 was nearly empty. This is, however, generally the case 
 at a first performance in England; for many people wait 
 for the newspaper critiques, which are sure to appear on 
 the following day, ere they make up their mind. 
 
 The audience entered the house with a noise unexampled 
 in any French theatre, except at those gratuitous per- 
 formances given in Paris on grand occasions. Before the
 
 346 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 curtain was raised, I was obliged to wait, and give my 
 noisy public time to cool down, and order and silence be- 
 ing gradually established, I began my performance. 
 
 Instead of the fashionable world, the elegant toilettes, 
 and those spectators who seemed to spread an aristocratic 
 perfume over the St. James's Theatre, I now found myself 
 in the presence of simple workmen, modestly and uni- 
 formly attired, rough in their manner, and eager for 
 amusement. 
 
 But this change, far from displeasing me, stimulated my 
 energies and dash, aad I was soon at my ease with my 
 new spectators, when I saw that they took a lively interest 
 in my experiments. Still, an accident at the outset nearly 
 aroused the popular dissatisfaction. 
 
 The Manchester artisans, far from coming to my per- 
 formances to improve their French accent, were greatly 
 surprised at hearing themselves addressed in any language 
 but their own. Protests were put in on every side, and 
 soon shouts were heard of "Speak English!" 
 
 As for my complying with the request, it was simply 
 impossible ; for though I had been six months in London, 
 as I was always among my own countrymen, or persons 
 who talked French, I had no occasion to apply myself to 
 the English language. Still, I tried to satisfy a claim 
 that appeared to me legitimate, and make up for my defi- 
 ciencies by boldness and good-will. I began by pronounc- 
 ing the few English words I knew ; when my vocabulary 
 was at fault, and I was about to run short, I invented ex- 
 pressions which, owing to their strange shape, greatly 
 amused my audience. Often, too, when in a difficulty, I 
 boldly asked them to come to my aid, and it was my turn 
 to feel a great inclination to laugh. 
 
 " How do you call it?" I said, with a serio-comic air, as
 
 ENGLISH SPOKEN HERE! 347 
 
 I held up the article whose name I wished to know ; and 
 straightway a hundred voices responded to my appeal. 
 Nothing could be more pleasant than a lesson thus taken, 
 when my teachers, contrary to the usual fashion, paid for 
 the privilege of giving it. 
 
 Through my condescension I succeeded in making peace 
 with my audience, who warmly cemented it on several oc- 
 casions by their hearty applause. The last trick especially 
 created a tremendous excitement I mean the inexhausti- 
 ble bottle, produced with scenery and decorations never be- 
 fore witnessed on any stage. * 
 
 The picture presented by this trick is indescribable, and 
 a skillful pencil could alone reproduce its numerous de- 
 tails. Here, however, is a sketch as accurate as possible : 
 
 I have already said that although the spectators were 
 few and far between in some parts of the house, the pit 
 was crowded, and it consequently contained more than 
 twelve hundred persons. 
 
 I own it was a really curious sight to see all these heads 
 issuing invariably from dark-colored waistcoats, heightened 
 by that ruddiness of face which can be only produced by 
 the beef and porter of Great Britain. 
 
 In order that I might communicate more freely with my 
 numerous spectators, the machinist had put up a plank 
 running from the stage to the end of the pit, and as I 
 also wished to address persons at the sides, two other 
 " practicables," much shorter than the centre one, ran 
 across to the boxes. The latter did not occupy room like 
 the first, for they were just over a passage, while those 
 who entered by it had to stoop down to reach their seats ; 
 but what was that slight inconvenience to the pleasure 
 they promised themselves in seeing the "French con- 
 jurer?"
 
 348 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 The public were still entering the pit after my perform- 
 ance had commenced, and so many persons were allowed 
 to come in that there was soon no room for the laggards. 
 
 Several of them had the courage to remain bent under 
 the " practicables," and, looking out right and left in turn, 
 they could follow my tricks. But one of these bold spec- 
 tators, doubtlessly fatigued by the inconvenient posture he 
 was obliged to keep, ingeniously passed his head through 
 the narrow space between the "practicable" and the boxes. 
 He managed it very cleverly, and his action was precisely 
 that of a button going into its corresponding hole. 
 
 This innovation was, it may be easily supposed, gaily 
 and noisily welcomed by the audience, and the unfortunate 
 man had to endure the fate reserved for all innovators 
 he was laughed at and " chaffed" tremendously. But he 
 did not trouble himself about that, and his coolness dis- 
 armed his opponents. 
 
 Encouraged by his example, a neighbor tried the but- 
 ton-hole mano3uvre, then a second and a third, and thus, 
 by the middle of the performance, half a dozen heads 
 without bodies were symmetrically arranged on either side 
 the pit, looking for all the world like skittle-pins waiting 
 to be knocked down. 
 
 I had arrived at the bottle trick, which consists in pro- 
 ducing from an empty bottle every liquor that may be 
 asked for, no matter the number of drinkers. 
 
 The reputation of this famous bottle was already estab- 
 lished in Manchester, for the London papers had fully 
 described the experiment. Hence, a general hurrah was 
 heard when I appeared armed with my marvellous bottle ; 
 for, in addition to the merit of the trick itself, the work- 
 men also counted on the pleasure of drinking a glass of 
 brandy, or any other liquor.
 
 THE BOTTLE TRICK. 349 
 
 Flattered by this reception, I proceeded to the centre 
 of the pit, followed by my servant, who carried an enor- 
 mous tray of wine-glasses. But I had scarce arrived there 
 when a thousand voices began exclaiming, " Brandy, whis- 
 ky, gin, cura9oa, shrub, rum," &c. 
 
 It was impossible to satisfy all at once ; hence, I wished 
 to proceed in rotation, and, after filling a glass, I offered 
 it to the man who I thought had made the first claim; 
 but the gentleman was utterly disappointed. Twenty 
 hands were stretched out to dispute the precious liquor, 
 and the glass was speedily upset. The spectators, 
 suffering the punishment of Tantalus, shouted for the 
 liquid, which was not fated to reach their lips. I filled a 
 second glass it shared the fate of the previous one, and 
 was fought for so obstinately that the glass was broken. 
 
 Further on, the same request was made ; I complied, 
 and none could profit by it. 
 
 Without troubling myself as to the result, I poured out 
 the liquor profusely, and left my audience to fight for its 
 possession. 
 
 Soon all the glasses had disappeared, and in vain I 
 asked for them back to continue my bounty ; not a trace 
 of them was to be found. My experiment was, therefore, 
 in danger of sudden termination, when a clever spectator 
 Lcld out his hand in the shape of a cup. 
 
 The process was as simple as it was ingenious ; it was 
 tlio egg of Christopher Columbus. The astonishment his 
 r.iMghbots felt permitted the inventor to profit by his dis- 
 covery, which is unfortunately a rarity. 
 
 This improvised cup was unanimously accepted, but the 
 imitators saw their piracy suffer the same fate, minus the 
 breakage, as the glasses. 
 
 Quite tired, I was about to withdraw, when a new im-
 
 350 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 provement was introduced by a spectator, as thirsty as tie 
 was obstinate ; throwing back his head and opening an 
 enormous mouth, he made me signs to pour in curagoa. 
 Finding the idea original, I immediately complied. 
 
 " What capital curagoa," the man said, as he licked his 
 lips. 
 
 This seductive exclamation was scarce heard ere every 
 mouth was open and heads thrown back ; it was enough to 
 make me fly in terror. Still, not to leave so curious a 
 scene incomplete, I took a watering tour, holding the 
 mouth of the bottle as straight as I could. At times, the 
 bottle being pushed by the neighbors, sent the liquor over 
 a man's coat, but, save this slight inconvenience, all went 
 on famously, and I fancied I had fulfilled the rude task of 
 quenching the thirst of my audience. Still, I heard a few 
 more appeals ; and a glass of whisky was earnestly im- 
 plored by one of the men who had thrust his head between 
 the plank and the boxes, and seemed in a perfect state of 
 collapse. 
 
 My son, who helped me on the stage, and was one of 
 the first to hear this request, understood all the longing 
 the poor suppliant felt; hence he ran on the stage for a 
 glass, which I filled, and he carried to the man. 
 
 But a difficulty suddenly arose ; the claimant and his 
 comrades were shut up in their pillory, side by side, and 
 could not raise their arms. My son, unthinkingly, offered 
 the glass, and seeing no one take it, was about to carry it 
 back on the stage ; but a groan made him turm round, 
 and, by the patient's air, he understood he was begging 
 him to stoop down and place the glass to his lips. 
 
 This delicate operation was performed with considerable 
 skill on both sides, and, despite the laughter of the public, 
 each of the pilloried men asked the same service in turn.
 
 A HUMAN AVALANCHE. 351 
 
 This little scene appeared to have calmed the ardor of 
 the public ; and I thought it possible to terminate my 
 trick in the usual way. When my bottle appears ex- 
 hausted, I end by filling an enormous glass with liquor, 
 but a scene then began which I had been far from expect- 
 ing. 
 
 Many writers have described the saturnalia produced by 
 the frightful distribution of food and wine at the Restora- 
 tion. Well, these orgies were respectable meals compared 
 with the assault attempted to reach the glass I held in my 
 hand. 
 
 A human avalanche suddenly rose before me, and from 
 this living pyramid emerged two hundred hands to dispute 
 their prey, while a hundred mouths were opened to swal- 
 low it. 
 
 I thought it high time to beat a retreat, in the fear of 
 being buried beneath this shapeless mass. It was impos- 
 sible ; behind me a file of thirsty drinkers barred my 
 passage. 
 
 The danger was pressing, for the pyramid was bending 
 forward to reach me, and might lose its balance at any 
 moment ; the cries of the unhappy beings supporting its 
 weight explained the dangerous position in which I might 
 soon find myself; hence, I rushed with my head down 
 through the mass, and reached the stage in time to notice 
 the curious sight of a falling mountain. 
 
 I will not attempt to describe the cries, shouts, and ap- 
 plauses that accompanied this fall, while the victims were 
 loud in their abuse, and found no way of getting up, save 
 by stepping on their companions in misfortune. The noise 
 was atrocious. 
 
 The curtain fell on this strange scene, but shouts and 
 clapping were immediately heard : " The conjurer !" 
 Houdin must come out to be complimented.
 
 352 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 I obeyed this order, and when I made my appearance, 
 either because I had been too liberal with my bottle, or 
 because, as I would sooner think, my spectators were 
 satisfied with my performance, the shouts and applause 
 broke out in such a formidable manner that I was quite 
 stupefied, while feeling acutely the pleasure they produced 
 me. For I must say that the noise of the hands struck 
 together, though so trying in itself, has nothing to shock 
 the ear of a performer ; on the contrary, the more deafen- 
 ing it becomes, the more harmonious it appears to the 
 recipient. 
 
 The following performances were far from being so 
 tumultuous as the first, and the reason is very simple. 
 The merchants and traders, who form the aristocracy of 
 Manchester, having heard of my performances, came with 
 the families to witness them, and their presence contri- 
 buted to keep the workmen in order. The house assumed 
 a different aspect, and henceforth I could only praise the 
 quietness of the pit. 
 
 Fifteen consecutive performances had not exhausted the 
 curiosity of the inhabitants, and I could certainly have 
 given fifteen more, at leastj whan, to my great regret, I 
 was obliged to make way for two celebrities Jenny Lind 
 and Roger whom Knowles had engaged to follow my 
 performance. 
 
 Though I felt vexed at throwing such a chance away, 
 on the other hand I was glad to escape as soon as possible 
 from that heavy and smoky atmosphere, which makes the 
 industrial capital of England resemble a city of chimney- 
 sweeps. I could not accustom my lungs to inhale, instead 
 of air, the flakes of soot constantly floating about. I fell 
 into a state of melancholy almost akin to spleen, which 
 did not abandon me till I reached the gay city of Liver- 
 pool, where I intended to remain several weeks.
 
 BUCKINGHAM PALACE. 353 
 
 I was at that time at the height of my fashion ; my per- 
 formance began with applause and ended with famous re- 
 ceipts. I need only add, that, after performing in turn at 
 the theatres of Liverpool, Birmingham, Worcester, Chel- 
 tenham, Bristol, and Exeter, I returned to London to give 
 fifteen performances ere I started for France. 
 
 A few days after my return to St. James's Theatre, the 
 Queen, bearing in mind the desire she had expressed at 
 Fulham, commanded a performance at Buckingham Palace. 
 
 This invitation being most agreeable, I willingly ac- 
 cepted it. 
 
 At eight in the morning of the appointed day, I pro- 
 ceeded to the royal residence, and the steward of the 
 palace, to whom I was directed, led me to the place se- 
 lected for my performance. It was a long and magnifi- 
 cent picture gallery, and a theatre had been put up, on 
 which the scenery represented a saloon in the Louis 
 Quinze style, white and gold, much resembling the one I 
 had at St. James's Theatre. 
 
 My guide then showed me an adjoining dining-room, 
 belonging, he said, to the ladies of honor, and he begged 
 me to state at what hour I should like to breakfast. 
 
 I was too busy to think about eating, for I had my per- 
 formance to prepare ; however, I ordered the meal for one 
 o'clock at any risk, and set to work directly. 
 
 Aided by my secretary (a species of factotum) and my 
 two boys, who helped me as well as their strength per- 
 mitted, I managed to overcome all the difficulties produced 
 by the provisional arrangement of the stage. But I had 
 not finished all my preparations till two o'clock, and I was 
 almost dying of inanition, for, less fortunate than my 
 companions, I had eaten nothing the whole day. Hence 
 it was with real joy I led the route to the dining-room. 
 
 X
 
 354 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 As the performance was not to take place till three, I 
 had just an hour to recruit my strength. 
 
 I had scarce walked a dozen steps, when I heard some 
 one calling me. It was a palace official who wanted to 
 speak to me. 
 
 "There will be a ball, sir, in this gallery," he said, in 
 excellent French, "after your performance, and conse- 
 quently preparations will have to be made which may take 
 more time than has been allowed for them. Hence, the 
 Queen requests you to begin your performance an hour 
 sooner ; she is quite ready, and will be here directly.' 
 
 " I am very sorry I cannot obey her Majesty's com- 
 mands," I replied ; " my preparations are not yet ended, 
 and I must add, that " 
 
 " Monsieur Robert-Houdin," the officer replied, politely, 
 but with all the coolness, of a Briton, " such are her Ma- 
 jesty's orders, and I can say no more." And without 
 awaiting any explanation, he bowed to me and retired. 
 
 "We shall still have time to take a hasty snack," I said 
 to my secretary, "so off to the dining-room as quickly as 
 you please." 
 
 I had not finished the sentence, when the Queen, Prince 
 Albert and the royal family entered the gallery, followed 
 by a numerous suit. 
 
 At this sight I had not the courage to go further ; I 
 returned, and armed myself with resignation. Protected 
 by the curtain that concealed me from the spectators, I 
 hastily made my few remaining preparations, and five 
 minutes later I received the order to begin. 
 
 When the curtain rose, I was dazzled at the sight that 
 met my gaze. 
 
 Her Majesty, the Prince Consort, the Queen Dowager, 
 the Duke of Cambridge and the royal children occupied
 
 THE COURT JOURNAL. 355 
 
 the first rank. Behind them were a portion of the Or- 
 leans family ; Avhile in the rear sat the highest functiona- 
 ries, among whom I recognized ambassadors dressed in 
 their national costumes, and general officers covered with 
 brilliant decorations.. All the ladies were in ball toilette, 
 and richly adorned with jewels. 
 
 A wonderful change came over me when I began my 
 performance : all my languor had been suddenly dispelled, 
 and I felt in excellent spirits. 
 
 Still this change can be easily explained. It is well 
 known that a performer feels no suffering while on the 
 stage ; a species of exaltation suspends all feelings foreign 
 to his part, and hunger, thirst, cold, or heat, even illness 
 itself, is forced to retreat in the presence of this excite- 
 ment, though it takes its revenge afterwards. 
 
 This slight digression was necessary to explain the 
 spirits I felt in when I appeared before my noble audi- 
 ence. 
 
 Never, I believe, did I throw such dash and boldness 
 into the performance of my experiments ; never, either, 
 had I an audience which appreciated them so kindly. 
 
 The Queen deigned to encourage me several times by 
 flattering remarks, while Prince Albert, ever so kind to 
 professionals, heartily clapped his hands. 
 
 I had prepared a trick, called the Bouquet d la Heine. 
 This is what the Court Journal says of it when describing 
 
 my performance : 
 
 ******* 
 
 " The Queen evinced an extreme pleasure in these ex- 
 periments ; but the one which seemed to strike her most 
 was the Bouquet d la Reine, a very graceful surprise, and 
 charmingly apropos. Her Majesty having lent her glove 
 to M. Robert-Houdin, the latter immediately produced
 
 356 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 from it a bouquet, which soon grew so large that it could 
 be scarely held in both hands. Finally, this bouquet, 
 after being placed in a vase, and bedewed with magic 
 water, was transformed into a garland, in which the flowers 
 formed the word VICTORIA. 
 
 " The Queen was equally astonished at the surprising 
 lucidity of M. Robert-Houdin's son, in the experiment of the 
 second-sight. The most complicated objects had been pre- 
 pared in order to embarrass and foil the sagacity of the 
 father and the marvellous faculty of the son. Both 
 emerged victoriously from this intellectual combat, and 
 defeated every scheme." 
 
 After the performance, the same officer with whom I had 
 already spoken came to offer me the thanks of the Queen 
 and Prince Albert. The Duchess of Orleans had also 
 been kind enough to add her compliments and those of her 
 family. 
 
 So soon as the curtain had fallen, and I was no longer 
 supported by the presence of my audience, I felt ready to 
 drop. I had taken a seat, and could hardly rise to go 
 and enjoy the meal which I stood in such need of. 
 
 Still, I was about to do so, when I was roused from my 
 exhaustion by the appearance of a large body of workmen, 
 who had come to take down the theatre in all speed and 
 prepare the gallery for the ball. 
 
 My readers can judge of my embarrassment and trouble 
 when I found I must pack up all my machinery at once, 
 lest it might be broken. 
 
 I tried to protest and defer the execution of the task, 
 but it was all in vain : orders had been given, and they 
 must be obeyed. Hence, I was obliged to summon up 
 fresh energy to finish my packing, which took me an hour 
 and a half.
 
 THE WIZARD'S REPAST. 857 
 
 Six o'clock struck when all was finished. I had taken 
 no food for exactly four-and-twenty hours. 
 
 Leaning on my manager who had taken the precaution 
 of ordering up the dinner, I dragged myself as far as the 
 dining-room. 
 
 Twilight had commenced, and the room was not yet 
 lighted, and it was with some difficulty we could dis- 
 tinguish a table. I fell rather than sat down upon a chair 
 I found near me, and while my son was ringing for lights, 
 I commenced a second-sight performance of my own. I 
 succeeded famously ; I laid my hand on a fork, and prick- 
 ing at whatever might be before me, found something at- 
 tached to the instrument. I prudently raised the object 
 to my nose, and, satisfied with this inspection, I took a 
 triumphant bite. 
 
 It was delicious ; and I fancied I could recognize a salmi 
 of partridge. 
 
 I made a second exploring tour to assure myself of the 
 truth, and, after a few mouthfuls, I convinced myself I 
 was not mistaken. My manager and boys followed my 
 example, and set to work manfully. 
 
 It seems that the attendance must be slow in royal 
 houses, for before the lights arrived we had plenty of time 
 to grow used to the darkness. 
 
 However, this meal, through its originality, became a 
 delightful amusement, and I had seized a bottle to pour 
 out some wine, when the door of the room suddenly 
 opened, and two servants came in bearing candelabra. 
 On seeing us thus seated at table and eating in the coolest 
 way, they nearly fell backwards in surprise. I am per- 
 suaded they took us at the moment for real sorcerers, for 
 we had great difficulty in inducing them to remain in the 
 room and wait on us.
 
 358 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 We then took our ease. The table was well served, 
 the wines were excellent, and we could rest from the 
 fatigues and emotions of the day. At the end of the din- 
 ner the palace steward paid us a visit, and on hearing of 
 my misfortunes, he expressed his deep regret. The Queen, 
 he assured me, would be the more vexed, if she heard of 
 it, because she had given the strictest orders that I should 
 want for nothing in her palace. 
 
 I replied, that I was amply repaid for a few moments 
 of pain by the satisfaction I felt at having been called to 
 perform before his gracious sovereign. And this was, in- 
 deed, the truth.
 
 A TOUR IN THE PROVINCE. 359 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 An Optimist Manager Three Spectators in a Boom A Magical Col- 
 lation The Colchester Public and the Nuts I return to France I 
 give up my Theatre A Farewell Tour I retire to St. Qervais 
 An Academician's Predictions. 
 
 A SHORT time after this performance my engagement 
 with Mitchell terminated. 
 
 Instead of returning to France, as I should much have 
 desired after so lengthened an absence, I thought it better 
 to continue my excursions in the English provinces till 
 the end of September, when I hoped to reopen my theatre 
 at Paris. 
 
 Consequently, I drew up an itinerary, in which the first 
 station would be Cambridge, celebrated for its university ; 
 and set out. 
 
 Possibly the reader may feel no inclination to follow me 
 on this tour, but he may be assured I will not drag him 
 after me, especially as my second passage through Eng- 
 land presents hardly any details worth mentioning here. 
 I will content myself with recounting a few incidents, and 
 among them a small adventure that happened to me, as it 
 may serve for a lesson for all professionals, that it is dan- 
 gerous both to their self-esteem and interests to drain 
 public curiosity too deep in the various places whither the 
 hope of good receipts attracts them.
 
 360 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 I intended to go straight from London to Cambridge, 
 but, half way, I took a fancy to stop and give a few per- 
 formances at Hertford, a town containing some ten thou- 
 sand people. 
 
 My two first performances were most successful, but on 
 the third, seeing that the number of spectators had greatly 
 fallen off, I decided on giving no more. 
 
 My manager argued against this resolution, and offered 
 me reasons which certainly had some value. 
 
 "I assure you, sir," he said, "that nothing is spoken 
 of in the town but your performance. Every one is asking 
 if you are going to perform to-morrow, and two young 
 gentlemen have already begged me to keep them places 
 if you intend to remain for to-morrow." 
 
 Ge'net, my manager, was certainly the best fellow in the 
 world ; but I ought to have distrusted his counsels, know- 
 ing, as I did, his disposition to look at the bright side of 
 everything. He was the incarnation of opitimism, and the 
 calculations he made about this performance went far be- 
 yond those of the inkstand inventor. To hear him talk, 
 we should have to double the price of places, and increase 
 our staff to keep back the crowd that would rush to see me. 
 
 While jesting Ge'net on his exaggerated ideas, I still 
 allowed him to send out the bills for the performance he 
 BO much desired. 
 
 The next evening, at half-past seven, I went, according 
 to my usual custom, to order the box-office to be opened, 
 and the public allowed admission. The performance would 
 commence at eight precisely. 
 
 I found my manager quite alone not a soul had ar- 
 rived yet. Still, that did not prevent him greeting me 
 with a radiant air though that was his normal condition. 
 
 "No one has yet come to the theatre," he said, rubbing
 
 AN OPTIMIST 361 
 
 his hands, as if giving me first-rate intelligence; "but 
 that is a good sign." 
 
 " The deuce it is ! Come, my dear Gnet, I must have 
 that proved." 
 
 " It is easy enough to understand. You must have no- 
 ticed, sir, that at our former performances we only had 
 the country gentry." 
 
 " Nothing proves it was so ; still, I will allow it. Now 
 go on." 
 
 " Well, it is very simple. The tradespeople have not 
 come to see you yet, and I expect them to-night. They 
 are always so busy, that they usually defer a pleasure till 
 the last moment. Have patience, and you will soon see 
 the rush we shall have to contend against." 
 
 And he looked towards the entrance door like a man 
 perfectly convinced that his predictions would be fulfilled. 
 
 We had still half an hour more than sufficient to fill 
 the room so I waited. But this half-hour passed in vain 
 expectation. Not a soul came to the box-office. 
 
 "It is now eight," I said, drawing out my watch, "and 
 no spectators have arrived. What do you say to that, 
 Ge^et?" 
 
 "Oh, sir! your watch is too fast I am sure of it 
 for " 
 
 My manager was about to support his allegation by 
 some proof drawn from his brain, when the town-hall clock 
 struck. Gdnet, finding his reasons exhausted, contented 
 himself with silence, while casting a despairing glance to- 
 wards the door. 
 
 At length, I saw his face grow purple with delight. 
 
 "Ah! I said so," he exclaimed, pointing to two young 
 men coming towards us. The public are beginning to 
 arrive. They doubtlessly mistook the hour. Come, every 
 man to his post !"
 
 362 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Genet's joy did not last long, for he soon recognized in 
 these visitors the two young gentlemen who had taken 
 their places the previous day. 
 
 "You have kept our seats?" they said to the optimist, 
 as they hurried in. 
 
 " Yes, gentlemen, yes ; you can. go in," Ge'net replied, 
 making an imperceptible grimace. And he led them in 
 complacently, while striving to explain the emptiness of 
 the room by saying it was only momentary. He had 
 hardly returned to the box-office, when a gentleman of a 
 certain age hurried up the steps, and rushed towards the 
 pay place with a haste my previous success probably jus- 
 tified. 
 
 " Is there any room left?" he asked, in a panting voice. 
 
 My poor Ge"net did not know how to reply to this ques- 
 tion, which seemed a jest ; he, therefore, merely muttered 
 one of those common-place phrases usually employed to 
 gain time. 
 
 " Well, sir, to tell you the truth I should say " 
 
 "I know I know: there are no places left. I ex- 
 pected it. But be kind enough to let me go in, and I will 
 find some corner to stand in." 
 
 " But, sir, allow me to tell you " 
 
 " No matter." 
 
 " But if, on the contrary " 
 
 " All the better. There, give me a stall-ticket, and I 
 will see if I can find room in the passage." 
 
 Being at the end of his arguments, Gnet supplied the 
 ticket. 
 
 You can imagine the surprise of the eager visitor when, 
 on entering the house, he found that he formed in his own 
 person exactly a third of the audience. 
 
 For my own part, I soon made up my mind. After
 
 AN AUDIENCE AT LAST. 863 
 
 compounding with my conscience, by granting the usual 
 quarter of an hour's grace to the laggards, and seeing no 
 one come, I informed my three spectators that, being only 
 anxious to be agreeable to them, I would perform. 
 
 This unexpected news produced a triple hurrah in the 
 house in the shape of thanks. 
 
 My orchestra consisted of eight amateurs of the town ; 
 and these gentlemen, as a compliment to my French origin, 
 always played as overture the " Girondins" and the "Mar- 
 seillaise," with the assistance of the big drum, and never 
 failed to terminate the performance with " God save the 
 Queen." 
 
 The patriotic introduction over, I began my perform- 
 ance. 
 
 My audience were collected on the first row of stalls, so 
 that, in order to address my explanations to them, I should 
 have had to keep my head constantly down, which would 
 have eventually become troublesome. Hence I determined 
 to look round the house, and address the benches just as 
 if they were well covered. 
 
 For their part, my audience made all possible row to 
 prove their satisfaction. They stamped, applauded, shout- 
 ed, so as almost to make me believe the house full. 
 
 The whole performance was a mutual exchange of com- 
 pliments, and the spectators saw the last of my tricks 
 arrive with considerable regret. This, however, was not 
 announced on my bills, for I reserved it as the best of my 
 surprises. 
 
 "Gentlemen,"! said to my audience, "as I require 
 three persons to assist me in performing this trick, will 
 any gentlemen present have the kindness to come on the 
 
 At this comic invitation the public rose en masse, and 
 obligingly placed themselves at my disposal.
 
 364 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 After my three assistants had promised to stand at the 
 front of the stage and not look round, I gave each an 
 empty glass, announcing that it would be filled with excel- 
 lent punch so soon as they expressed the wish, and I added 
 that to facilitate the performance, they must repeat after 
 me a few cabalistic words borrowed from the enchanter 
 Merlin. 
 
 This jest was only proposed in order to gain time, for 
 while we were performing it with bursts of laughter, a 
 change was being carried out behind my kind assistants. 
 The table on which I did my tricks had been removed, 
 and another brought forward on which an excellent supper 
 was spread, and a bowl of punch crackled in the centre. 
 
 Ge'net, clothed in blgck and a white cravat, and armed 
 with a spoon, was stimulating a spectral flame, and when 
 my assistants expressed a wish to see their glasses filled 
 with punch, he said, in his most solemn voice, 
 
 " Turn round, and your wishes will be accomplished." 
 
 My musicians had been spectators of this little scene, 
 so I begged them to join us and try the virtues of my in- 
 exhaustible bowl. This invitation was joyfully accepted, 
 the table was surrounded, the glasses were filled and emp- 
 tied, and we passed two agreeable hours in performing this 
 experiment. 
 
 Owing to the prodigality of my " inexhaustible bowl of 
 punch," my guests were all affected by a tender expansion. 
 They almost embraced on parting; however, they con- 
 tented themselves with shaking hands and vowing an un- 
 dying friendship. 
 
 The instruction to be drawn from this anecdote is that, 
 in offering a farewell to the public, you should not wait 
 till there are none left to receive it. 
 
 On leaving Hertford, I went to Cambridge, thence to
 
 CUSTOM AT COLCHESTER. 365 
 
 Bury St. Edmunds, Ipswich -and Colchester, always taking 
 receipts proportionate to the importance of the towns. I 
 have only three souvenirs of those five towns : the failure 
 at Hertford, the enthusiastic reception from the Cambridge 
 students, and the nuts at Colchester. 
 
 But, it will be asked, what connexion can there be be- 
 tween nuts and a magical performance. A word will ex- 
 plain the fact to the reader, and all the tribulations this 
 fruit caused me. 
 
 It is the custom at Colchester that when a body goes to 
 the theatre he fills his pockets with nuts. These are 
 cracked and eaten during the performance as a species of 
 refreshment. Men and women both suffer from this crack- 
 ing mania, so that a rolling fire is kept up through the 
 house, often powerful enough to drown the voice. 
 
 Nothing affected my nerves so much as this incessant 
 cracking ; my first performance suffered from it, and de- 
 spite my efforts to master myself, I went through the 
 whole performance in a state of irritation. I consented, 
 however, to perform a second time, but the manager could 
 not induce me to promise a third. Although he assured 
 me that his actors had grown quite accustomed to this 
 strange music, and that even a minor actor might often 
 be seen on the stage calmly cracking a nut while awaiting 
 the reply, I could not stand it any longer, and left the 
 town. 
 
 Most assuredly, the theatres in the smaller English 
 towns are not equal to those in the cities. 
 
 At Colchester my tour was to end, and I was about 
 starting for France, when Knowles, the Manchester direc- 
 tor, remembering my success at his theatre, proposed to 
 me to take a trip with him through Ireland and Scotland. 
 We had then reached the month of June, 1849, when
 
 366 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Paris was more than ever agitated by political questions ; 
 and theatres only existed in France as memorials of the 
 past. I did not waste much time in forming a decision ; I 
 started with my English manager. 
 
 Our excursion lasted no less than four months, and I 
 did not step on French soil again till the end of October. 
 
 Need I describe the delight with which I presented my- 
 self once more before a Parisian audience, whose kind 
 patronage I had not forgotten ? Those professional men 
 who, like myself, have been long absent from Paris, will 
 understand it, for they know nothing is so sweet to the 
 heart as the applause given by a man's fellow-citizens. 
 
 Unfortunately, when I recommenced my performances, 
 I noticed with sorrow the change which had taken place 
 in my health : the performances which I formerly went 
 through with no fatigue, now caused me a painful state of 
 exhaustion. 
 
 It was easy to find a reason for this disagreeable change ; 
 fatigue, the incessant thought connected with my perform- 
 ances, and still more the foggy atmosphere of England, 
 had exhausted my strength. My life had been in some 
 degree used up during my emigration. I should require 
 a lengthened rest to restore it, and I could not think of it 
 at this period, the best part of the season. I could only 
 take precautions for the future, in case I should find my- 
 self suddenly compelled by my health to stop ; so I de- 
 cided on educating a pupil to take my place in case of 
 need, and whose labor might assist me in the meanwhile. 
 
 A young man of pleasing exterior, and whose talent I 
 was acquainted with, seemed to offer the conditions I re- 
 quired. My proposals suited him, and he immediately 
 joined me. The future sleight-of-hand professor evinced 
 great aptitude and zeal in learning my lessons. I em-
 
 A WELCOME REST. 367 
 
 ployed him in a short time to prepare my experiments, 
 then he aided me in the management of my theatre, and 
 when the summer of 1850 arrived, instead of closing my 
 rooms as usual, I continued to send out my bills; the 
 only change was that Hamilton's name was substituted for 
 mine. 
 
 Considering his short period of study, my provisional 
 substitute could not be yet very expert ; still, he pleased, 
 and the public were satisfied. During this period I en- 
 joyed in the country a repose that had been long desired. 
 
 A man who has made a long journey never feels the fa- 
 tigue so acutely as when he proposes to continue his jour- 
 ney after a few moments of rest. This was what I expe- 
 rienced when, my holiday being ended, I was obliged to 
 leave the country to begin again the feverish existence of 
 a theatre. I never felt such lassitude; never had I a 
 greater desire to enjoy perfect liberty, to renounce those 
 fatigues of an appointed hour, which may be justly called 
 the collar of misery. 
 
 At this word, I see many of my readers start. u Why," 
 they will say, " thus call a labor whose object is to as- 
 tonish an audience, and the result to gain honor and 
 profit?" 
 
 I find myself compelled to prove the justice of the ex- 
 pression. 
 
 The reader will easily understand that the fatigue, pre- 
 occupation and responsibility attached to a magical per- 
 formance do not prevent the conjurer being subjected to 
 the ordinary sufferings of humanity. Now, whatever may 
 be the nature of his sufferings or his grief, he must, at an 
 appointed hour each night, hide them in his bosom, and 
 assume the mask of happiness and health. 
 
 This is, in itself, a painful task, but, believe me, reader,
 
 368 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 it is not all ; he must and this is applicable to all pro- 
 fessionals under penalty of ruin, enliven, animate and 
 excite the public, or, in other words, give them pleasure 
 for their money. 
 
 Can this be always equally easy ? In truth, the posi- 
 tion artists hold would be intolerable, did not they find 
 in the sympathy and applause of the public a gentle recom- 
 pense which makes them forget the minor miseries of life. 
 
 I may say it with pride, to the last moment of my artist 
 life I only met with sympathy and kindness ; but the more 
 I strove to render myself ever worthy of them, the more 
 I felt my strength failing me, and the more, too, increased 
 my desire to live in retirement and freedom. 
 
 At last, in January, 1852, judging Hamilton fit to suc- 
 ceed me, I decided on giving up my establishment to him, 
 and in order that my theatre, the fruit of my labors, might 
 remain in the family, two contracts were signed ; and on 
 the same day my pupil became my brother-in-law and my 
 successor. 
 
 Still, however desirous an actor may be of retiring into 
 private life, he very rarely renounces at once and for ever 
 the applause which has become an agreeable stimulant for 
 him. Hence, no surprise will be felt on learning that, 
 after a few months' rest, I proposed to give a few more 
 performances, as a final parting from the public. 
 
 As I had not yet visited Germany, I proceeded to the 
 banks of the Rhine. Desiring no unnecessary fatigue, I 
 resolved to reserve to myself the choice of the places 
 where I would perform. I therefore stopped, in prefer- 
 ence, at those festal places called "Baths," and visited in 
 turn Baden, Wiesbaden, Homburg, Aix-la-Chapelle, and 
 Spa. Nearly each of my performances was honored by 
 the presence of one or more of the princes regnant of the 
 Germanic Confederation.
 
 MY VISIT TO PRUSSIA. 369 
 
 It was my intention to return to France after my per- 
 formances at Spa, but, at the request of M. Engel, mana- 
 ger of a theatre at Berlin, I retraced my steps, and started 
 for the capital of Prussia. 
 
 I had made a six weeks' engagement with M. Engel ; 
 but my success, and the excellent terms on which I stood 
 with my manager, induced me to prolong it for three 
 months. I could not have taken a more brilliant leave of 
 the public : for, probably, I never saw greater crowds run 
 after my performances. Thus the reception I obtained 
 from the Berliner will ever remain one of my pleasantest 
 reminiscences. 
 
 From Berlin I proceeded straight to the neighborhood 
 of Blois, to the retreat I had selected. 
 
 Whatever might be my satisfaction in enjoying the free- 
 dom I had so long desired, it would soon have undergone 
 the fate common to all our pleasures, and have grown flat 
 by the mere effect of enjoyment, had I not reserved for 
 these blessed hours of leisure studies in which I hoped to 
 find a perennial source of amusement. After gaining a 
 fortune by labors unjustly regarded as futile, I was about 
 to devote myself to serious researches, as I had been for- 
 merly advised by a member of the Institute. 
 
 The circumstances to which I allude date back to the 
 Exposition of 1844, when I submitted my automata and 
 mechanical curiosities. 
 
 The jury entrusted with the examination of mechanical 
 instruments and designs had come to my productions, and 
 I had repeated the little performance I had given a few 
 days previously in the presence of Louis Philippe. 
 
 After listening with interest to the details of the nu- 
 merous difficulties I had to overcome in making my auto- 
 mata, one of the members of the jury said to me : 
 
 Y
 
 370 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 " It is a great pity, Monsieur Robert-Houdin, that you 
 did not apply the talent you have evinced in fancy objects 
 to serious labors." 
 
 This criticism wounded me the more, because at that 
 period I considered nothing superior to my works, and in 
 my fairest dreams of the future I desired no greater glory 
 than that of the skillful inventor of the " automaton duck." 
 
 "Sir," I replied, in a tone that betrayed my pique, "I 
 know no works more serious than those which give a man an 
 honest livelihood. Still, I am ready to change my views, 
 if you give me the same advice after you have heard me. 
 
 " At the period when I devoted myself to chronometers, 
 I hardly earned enough to live upon ; at present, I have 
 four workmen to help me in making my automata ; and as 
 the least skillful among them earns six francs a day, you 
 can easily form an idea what I earn myself. 
 
 "Now, sir, I ask you, if I ought to return to my old 
 trade ?" 
 
 My critic was silent, but another member of the jury 
 coming up to me, said, in a low voice, 
 
 "Go on, Monsieur Robert-Houdin go on; I am con- 
 vinced that your ingenious works, after leading you to 
 success, will conduct you straight to useful discoveries." 
 
 "Monsieur le Baron Se'guier," I replied, in the same 
 key, "I thank you for your encouraging prediction, and 
 will do my best to prove its correctness."* 
 
 I have followed the advice of the illustrious savant, and 
 find myself all the better for it. 
 
 * This slight incident did not prevent the jury granting me a silver 
 medal for my automata. Eleven years later, at the Universal Exhibi- 
 tion of 1855, I received a medal of the first class for new applications of 
 electricity to mechanism.
 
 A TRIP TO ALGERIA. 371 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Travels in Algeria Convocation of the Chieftains Performances be- 
 fore the Arabs A Kabyle rendered powerless Invulnerability A 
 Moor disappears Panic and Flight of the Audience Reconciliation 
 The Sect of Aissaoua Their pretended Miracles. 
 
 I HAVE, then, reached the object of all my hopes : I 
 have bidden an eternal farewell to professional life, and 
 from my retirement I wave my hand in parting salutation 
 to my kind and obliging patrons. Henceforth I shall 
 know no care or anxiety; free and tranquil, I am about 
 to devote myself to my peaceful studies, and enjoy the 
 pleasantest existence man ever had on earth. 
 
 I was busily forming my plans of happiness, when, one 
 day, I received a letter from Colonel de Neveu, head of 
 the political office at Algiers. This distinguished func- 
 tionary begged me to proceed to our colony, and give my 
 performances before the principal chieftains of the Arab 
 tribes. 
 
 This invitation reached me in the full of my honey- 
 moon, if I may employ the expression. Scarce recovered 
 from the fatigues of my journey, I was imbibing deep 
 draughts of happiness, and it would have been a heavy 
 sacrifice to dispel the charm so soon. Hence, I expressed 
 to Colonel de Neveu my regret at not being able to accept 
 his invitation. 
 
 The colonel noted down my excuses, and, the following 
 year, reminded me of them. It was in 1855 ; but I had
 
 372 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 presented at the Universal Exhibition several new appli- 
 cations of electricity to mechanism, and having learned 
 that the jury considered me worthy a reward, I would not 
 quit Paris till I had received it. Such was, at least, the 
 motive on which I based a new refusal, accompanied by 
 my regret. 
 
 But the colonel kept these excuses still in mind, and in 
 June, 1856, he presented them to me like a bill to be met. 
 This time I had exhausted my excuses, and though it cost 
 me much to quit my retreat and brave the caprices of the 
 Mediterranean in the worst month of the year, I decided 
 on going. 
 
 It was settled that I should reach Algiers by the next 
 27th of September, the day on which the great fetes an- 
 nually offered by the capital of Algeria to the Arabs 
 would commence. 
 
 I must say that I was much influenced in my determi- 
 nation by the knowledge that my mission to Algeria had 
 a quasi -political character. I, a simple conjurer, was 
 proud of being able to render my country a service. 
 
 It is known that the majority of revolts which have to 
 be suppressed in Algeria are excited by intriguers, who 
 say they are inspired by the Prophet, and are regarded by 
 the Arabs as envoys of God on earth to deliver them from 
 the oppression of the Roumi (Christians). 
 
 These false prophets and holy Marabouts, who are no 
 more sorcerers than I am, and indeed even less so, still 
 contrive to influence the fanaticism of their co-religionists 
 by tricks as primitive as are the spectators before whom 
 they are performed. 
 
 The government was, therefore, anxious to destroy their 
 pernicious influence, and reckoned on me to do so. They 
 hoped, with reason, by the aid of my experiments, to
 
 LIFE IN AFRICA. 378 
 
 prove to the Arabs that the tricks of their Marabouts were 
 mere child's play, and owing to their simplicity could not 
 be done by an envoy from Heaven, which also led us very 
 naturally to show them that we are their superiors in 
 everything, and, as for sorcerers, there are none like the 
 French. 
 
 Presently I will show the success obtained by these 
 skillful tactics. 
 
 Three months were to elapse between the day of my 
 acceptance and that of my departure, which I employed 
 in arranging a complete arsenal of my best tricks, and 
 left St. Gervais on the 10th of September. 
 
 I will give no account of my passage, further than to 
 say no sooner was I at sea than I wished I had arrived, 
 and, after thirty-six hours' navigation, I greeted the capi- 
 tal of our colony with indescribable delight. 
 
 I was expected ; an officer came off in an elegant boat 
 and took me to the Hotel d' Orient, where a handsome 
 suite of rooms was retained for me. 
 
 The government had behaved nobly, for I was lodged 
 like a prince. From the window of my sitting-room I 
 could survey the roads of Algiers, and the prospect was 
 only bounded by the horizon. The sea is always lovely 
 when seen from a window ; thus each morning I admired 
 it, and pardoned its past slight insults. 
 
 From my hotel I also gazed on the magnificent Govern- 
 ment-square, planted with orange trees, such as cannot be 
 seen in France. They were at this season laden with 
 flowers and perfectly ripe fruit. 
 
 Mme. Robert-Houdin and myself delighted in sitting 
 beneath their shade at nightfall and eating an ice before 
 the doorway of an Algerian Tortoni, while inhaling the 
 perfumed breeze borne to us from the sea. Next to this
 
 374 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 pleasure, nothing interested us so much as observing the 
 immense variety of persons moving around us. 
 
 The five quarters of the world had sent their represen- 
 tatives to Algeria : there were French, Spainards, Maltese, 
 Italians, Germans, Swiss, Prussians, Belgians, Portuguese, 
 Poles, Russians, English and Americans, all forming a 
 portion of the population of Algeria. Add to these the 
 different Arabic types, such as Moors, Kabyles, Koulougly, 
 Biskri, Mozabites, Negroes, Arab Jews, &c., and an idea 
 may be formed of the sight unrolled before our eyes. 
 
 When I arrived at Algiers, M. de Neveu told me that 
 as a portion of Kabylia had revolted, the marshal-governor 
 had started with an expeditionary corps to suppress it. 
 In consequence of this, the festes to which the Arab chiefs 
 were to be invited were deferred for a month, and my 
 performances put off for the same period. 
 
 " I have now to ask you," the colonel added, "if you 
 will sign this new engagement?" 
 
 "Mon colonel!" I replied, in a jocular tone, "I con- 
 sider myself in military employ. As I depend on the 
 governor, I will be faithful to my post, whatever may 
 happen." 
 
 "Very good, M. Robert-Houdin," the colonel said with 
 a laugh ; you behave like a true French soldier, and the 
 colony will owe you thanks for it. At the same time, we 
 will try to make your service in Algeria as light as possi- 
 ble. We have given orders at your hotel that madame 
 and yourself may have no cause to regret the comfort you 
 left to come here." (I have forgotten to say that, in 
 signing my engagement, I stipulated that Mme. Houdin 
 should accompany me.) " If, while awaiting your official 
 performances, you might like to employ your leisure even- 
 ings at the town theatre, the governor places it at your
 
 A WELCOME DELAY. 375 
 
 service thrice a week, the other days belonging to the 
 operatic company." 
 
 This proposition suited me admirably, and I saw three 
 advantages in it : the first, to get my hand in, for I had 
 left the stage for two years ; the second, to try the effect 
 of my experiments on the town Arabs; the third, to 
 pocket a very welcome sum of money. I accepted ; but 
 when I offered my thanks to M. de Neveu, he said, 
 
 " It is our place to thank you, for, by giving perform- 
 ances at Algiers during the Kabylian expedition, you 
 render us a great service." 
 
 " How, colonel?" 
 
 " By employing the minds of the Algerines, we prevent 
 them speculating on the eventualities of the campaign, 
 which might be very injurious to the government." 
 
 " That being so, I will set to work at once." 
 
 The colonel started the next day to join the marshal, 
 having previously handed me over to the civil authorities ; 
 that is to say, he had introduced me to M. de Guiroye, 
 mayor of the town, who displayed extreme kindness in 
 facilitating the arrangements for my performances. 
 
 It might be reasonably supposed that, owing to the high 
 patronage that supported me, I need only follow a path 
 hestrewn with flowers, to use the language of the poets. 
 But it was not so : I had to endure many annoyances, 
 which might have vexed me greatly, had I not possessed 
 a stock of philosophy beyond ordinary mortals. 
 
 M. D , privileged manager of the Bab-Azoun Thea- 
 tre, had commenced the season with an operatic company, 
 and, fearing lest the success of a stranger on his stage 
 might injure his own prospects, he complained about it to 
 the authorities. 
 
 The mayor could offer him no other consolation than
 
 376 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 saying the government ordered it. M. D protested, 
 
 and even threatened to throw up the management, but the 
 mayor adhered to his inflexible decision. 
 
 The city of Algiers thus suddenly saw itself exposed to 
 a total managerial eclipse, when, through a spirit of con- 
 ciliation, I offered to perform only twice a week, and defer 
 beginning till the operatic dbut was over. 
 
 This concession slightly calmed the impresario, though 
 it did not gain me his good graces. M. D ever main- 
 tained a coldness towards me, which evidenced his dissatis- 
 faction, but I held an independent position, and this cool- 
 ness did not render me wretched. 
 
 I also managed to escape from the annoyances aroused 
 by certain subalterns of the stage, and, being determined 
 that my voyage to Algiers should be a real pleasure-trip, 
 I laughed at these puny attacks. Besides, my attention 
 was directed to a matter far more interesting to me. 
 
 The journals had announced my performances, and this 
 statement immediately aroused a paper warfare in the Al- 
 gerian press, the strangeness of which contributed no little 
 to give increased publicity to my representations. 
 
 "Robert-Houdin," one paper said, " cannot be at Al- 
 giers, for we see daily announced in the Paris papers, 
 1 Robert-Houdin every evening at eight o'clock.' ' 
 
 " And why," another journal asked, pleasantly, " should 
 not Robert-Houdin perform in Algiers and yet remain all 
 the while in Paris ? Do we not know that this sorcerer 
 possesses the gift of ubiquity, and that he often gives per- 
 formances at Paris, Rome, and Moscow on the same even- 
 ing?" 
 
 The discussion went on thus, for several days, some de- 
 nying my presence, others affirming it. 
 
 The public of Algiers were willing to accept this fact aa
 
 CURIOUS DISCUSSIONS. 377 
 
 one of those pleasantries generally denominated canards, 
 but they also wished to be sure of not being victims of a 
 delusion if they came to the theatre. 
 
 At length the matter was taken up seriously, and the 
 editors explained that Mr. Hamilton, on succeeding his 
 brother-in-law, had kept up the old title ; so that Robert- 
 Houdin was a term equally applicable to the performer 
 and to the style of performance. 
 
 This curious discussion, the annoyances occasioned by 
 
 M. D , and, as I hope I may believe, the attraction of 
 
 my performance, brought me an enormous audience. All 
 the tickets were bought beforehand, and the house was 
 stiflingly hot, for the centigrade thermometer denoted 35 
 deg., and we were in the middle of September. 
 
 Poor spectators, how I pitied them ! To judge from my 
 own sensations, they must all have been mummified on the 
 spot. I feared that the enthusiasm, as is the general 
 rule, would be in an inverse ratio to the temperature ; but 
 I had no cause to complain of my reception, and I drew 
 from this success a happy omen for the future. 
 
 In order not to deprive my "official representations," 
 as M. de Neveu termed them, of the interest the reader 
 will expect from them, I will give no details of those which 
 preceded them, and were so many trial-balloons. I may 
 say the Arabs who came were very few ; for these men, 
 with their indolent and sensual temper, consider the hap- 
 piness of lying on a mat and smoking far above a spec- 
 tacle. 
 
 Hence the governor, guided by the profound knowledge 
 he had of their character, never invited them to a fete : he 
 sent them a military summons. This occurred for my 
 representations. 
 
 As M. de Neveu had announced to me, the expedition-
 
 378 MEMOIKS OF ROBEET-HOUDIN. 
 
 ary corps returned to Algiers on the 20th of October, and 
 the f6tes, suspended by the campaign, were fixed for the 
 27th. Messengers were sent off to all parts of the colony, 
 and on the appointed day the chiefs of the tribes, accom- 
 panied by a numerous suite, found themselves in the pre- 
 sence of the marshal-governor. 
 
 These autumnal fetes, the most brilliant held in Algeria, 
 and probably unrivalled in any country of the world, pre- 
 sent a picturesque and really remarkable scene. 
 
 I should like to be able to paint here the strange aspect 
 the capital assumed on the arrival of the goums of the 
 Tell and the South. The native camp, an inextricable 
 pell-mell of huts for men and horses, offering a thousand 
 contrasts, strange as they were fascinating ; the brilliant 
 cortege of the governor-general, in the midst of which the 
 Arab chiefs, with their stern faces, attracted the eye by 
 the luxury of their costumes, the beauty of their horses, 
 and the brilliancy of their gold-broidered trappings ; and 
 the marvellous hippodrome, situated between the sea, the 
 smiling hill of Mustapha, and the plain of Hussein-Dey, 
 over which gloomy mountains cast a sombre shade. But 
 I will say^ nothing about all this. Nor will I describe 
 those military exercises called a Fantasia, in which twelve 
 hundred Arabs, mounted on splendid steeds, and uttering 
 wild cries as if on the battle-field, displayed the utmost 
 vigor, skill, and intelligence men can possess. Nor will I 
 speak of the admirable exhibition of Arab stallions, each 
 exciting the most lively satisfaction as it passed ; for all 
 this has been already described, and I am longing to reach 
 my own performances, which, I may say, formed not the 
 least interesting part of this fSte. I will only allude to 
 one circumstance, which struck me peculiarly. 
 
 I saw a horseman, mounted on a magnificent Arab steed,
 
 THE ALGIERS THEATRE*. 379 
 
 beat all the winners in a final heat. This horseman was 
 twelve years of age, and could pass under his horse with- 
 out stooping. 
 
 The races lasted three days, and I was to give my per- 
 formances at the end of the second and third. 
 
 Before beginning, I will say a word about the Algiers 
 theatre. 
 
 It is a very neat house, in the style of the Varie'te's at 
 Paris, and decorated with considerable taste. It is situ- 
 ated at the extremity of the Rue Bab-Azoun, on the place 
 bearing that name, and the facade is peculiarly elegant. 
 
 On first seeing this immense edifice, it would be assumed 
 that the interior was enormous : but it is nothing of the 
 sort. The architect has sacrificed everything to the claims 
 of public order and ventilation, while the stairs, passages, 
 and green-room occupy as much space as the house itself. 
 Perhaps the architect took into consideration the limited 
 number of theatre-going people in Algiers, and thought 
 that a small house would offer performers a better chance 
 of success. 
 
 On the 28th of October, the day appointed for my first 
 performance before the Arabs, I reached my post at an 
 early hour, and could enjoy the sight of their entrance 
 into the theatre. 
 
 Each goum, drawn up in companies, was introduced 
 separately, and led in perfect order to the places chosen 
 for it in advance. Then came the turn of the chiefs, who 
 seated themselves with all the gravity becoming their char- 
 acter. 
 
 Their introduction lasted some time, for these sons of 
 nature could not understand that they were boxed up thus, 
 side by side, to enjoy a spectacle, and our comfortable seats, 
 far from seeming so to them, bothered them strangely. I
 
 380 MEImS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 saw them fidgeting about for some time, and trying to 
 tuck their legs under them, after the fashion of European 
 tailors. 
 
 Marshal Randon, with his family and suite, occupied 
 the two stage-boxes to the right of the stage, while the 
 prefect and other civilian authorities sat exactly facing 
 him. As for Colonel de Neveu, he was everywhere, as 
 the arranger of the festival. 
 
 The ca'ids, agas, bash-agas, and other titled Arabs, held 
 the places of honor, for they occupied the orchestra-stalls 
 and the dress-circle. 
 
 In the midst of them were several privileged officers, 
 and, lastly, the interpreters were mingled among the spec- 
 tators, to translate my remarks to them. 
 
 I was also told that several curious people, having been 
 unable to procure tickets, had assumed the Arab burnous, 
 and, binding the camel's-hair cord round their foreheads, 
 had slipped in among their new co-religionists. 
 
 This strange medley of spectators was indeed a most 
 curious sight. The dress-circle, more especially, presented 
 an appearence as grand as it was imposing. Some sixty 
 Arab chiefs, clothed in their red mantles (the symbol of 
 their submission to France), on which one or more deco- 
 rations glistened, gravely awaited my performance with 
 majestic dignity. 
 
 I have performed before many brilliant assemblies, but 
 never before one which struck me so much as this. How- 
 ever, the impression I felt on the rise of the curtain, 
 far from paralyzing me, on the contrary inspired me with 
 a lively sympathy for the spectators, whose faces seemed 
 so well prepared to accept the marvels promised them. 
 As soon as I walked on the stage, I felt quite at my ease, 
 and enjoyed, in anticipation, the sight I was going to 
 amuse myself with.
 
 A STRANGE AUDIENCE. 381 
 
 I felt, I confess, rather inclined to laugh at myself and 
 my audience, for I stepped forth, wand in hand, with all 
 the gravity of a real sorcerer. Still, I did not give way, 
 for I was here not merely to amuse a curious and kind 
 public, I must produce a startling eifect upon coarse minds 
 and prejudices, for I was enacting the part of a French 
 Marabout. 
 
 Compared with the simple tricks of their pretended 
 sorcerers, my experiments must appear perfect miracles to 
 the Arabs. 
 
 I commenced my performance in the most profound, I 
 might almost say religious, silence, and the attention of the 
 spectators was so great that they seemed petrified. Their 
 fingers alone moving nervously, played with the beads of 
 their rosaries, while they were, doubtlessly, invoking the 
 protection of the Most High. 
 
 This apathetic condition did not suit me, for I had not 
 come to Algeria to visit a waxwork exhibition. I wanted 
 movement, animation, life in fact, around me. 
 
 I changed my batteries, and, instead of generalizing my 
 remarks, I addressed them more especially to some of the 
 Arabs, whom I stimulated by my words, and still more by 
 my actions. The astonishment then gave way to a more 
 expressive feeling, which was soon evinced by noisy out- 
 bursts. 
 
 This was especially the case when I produced cannon- 
 balls from a hat, for my spectators, laying aside their 
 gravity, expressed their delighted admiration by the 
 strangest and most energetic gestures. 
 
 Then came greeted by the same success the bouquet 
 of flowers, produced instantaneously from a hat; the 
 cornucopia, supplying a multitude of objects, which I dis- 
 tributed though unable to satisfy the repeated demands
 
 382 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 made on all sides, and still more by those who had their 
 hands full already ; the five~franc pieces, sent across the 
 theatre into a crystal box suspended above the spectators. 
 
 One trick I should much have liked to perform was the 
 inexhaustible bottle, so appreciated by the Parisians and 
 the Manchester "hands;" but I could not employ it in 
 this performance, for it is well known the followers of 
 Mohammed drink no fermented liquor at least not pub- 
 licly. Hence, I substituted the following with consider- 
 able advantage. 
 
 I took a silver cup, like those called "punch bowls" in 
 the Parisians cafe's. I unscrewed the foot, and passing my 
 wand through it showed that the vessel contained nothing ; 
 then, having refitted the two parts, I went to the centre of 
 the pit, when, at my command, the bowl was magically 
 filled with sweetmeats, which were found excellent. 
 
 The sweetmeats exhausted, I turned the bowl over, 
 and proposed to fill it with excellent coffee ; so, gravely 
 passing my hand thrice over the bowl, a dense vapor im- 
 mediately issued from it, and announced the presence of 
 the precious liquid. The bowl was full of boiling coffee, 
 which I poured into cups, and offered to my astounded 
 spectators. 
 
 The first cups were only accepted, so to speak, under 
 protest ; for not an Arab would consent to moisten his lips 
 with a beverage which he thought came straight from Shai- 
 tan's kitchen; but, insensibly seduced by the perfume of 
 their favorite liquor, and urged by the interpreters, some 
 of the boldest decided on tasting the magic liquor, and 
 all soon followed their example. 
 
 The vessel, rapidly emptied, was repeatedly filled again 
 with equal rapidity ; and it satisfied all demands, like my 
 inexhaustible bottle, and was borne back to the stage still 
 full.
 
 THE MYSTERIOUS BOX. 383 
 
 But it was not enough to amuse my spectators ; I must 
 also, in order to fulfil the object of my mission, startle 
 and even terrify them by the display of a supernatural 
 power. 
 
 My arrangements had all been made for this purpose, 
 and I had reserved for the end of my performances three 
 tricks, which must complete my reputation as a sorcerer. 
 
 Many of my readers will remember having seen at my 
 performances a small but solidly-built box, which, being 
 handed to the spectators, becomes heavy or light at my 
 order; a child might raise it with ease, and yet the most 
 powerful man could not move it from its place. 
 
 I advanced with my box in my hand, to the centre of 
 the " practicable," communicating from the stage to the pit ; 
 then, addressing the Arabs, I said to them ; 
 
 "From what you have witnessed, you will attribute a 
 supernatural power to me, and you are right. I will give 
 you a new proof of my marvellous authority, by showing 
 that I can deprive the most powerful man of his strength 
 and restore it at my will. Any one who thinks himself 
 strong enough to try the experiment may draw near me." 
 (I spoke slowly, in order to give the interpreter time to 
 translate my words.") 
 
 An Arab of middle height, but well built and muscular, 
 like many of the Arabs are, came to my side with suffici- 
 ent assurance. 
 
 "Are you very strong?" I said to him, measuring him 
 from head to foot." 
 
 " Oh yes !" he replied carelessly. 
 
 " Are you sure you will always remain so?" 
 
 "Quite sure." 
 
 " Your are mistaken, for in an instant I will rob you of 
 your strength, and you shall become as a little child."
 
 384 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 The Arab smiled disdainfully as a sign of his incre- 
 dulity. 
 
 " Stay," I continued; "lift up this box." 
 
 The Arab stooped, lifted up the box, and said to me, 
 coldly, "Is that all?" 
 
 "Wait !" I replied. 
 
 Then, with all possible gravity, I made an imposing 
 gesture, and solemnly pronounced the words : 
 
 " Behold ! you are weaker than a women ; now, try to 
 lift the box." 
 
 The Hercules, quite cool as to my conjuration, seized 
 the box once again by the handle, and gave it a violent 
 tug, but this time the box resisted, and, spite of his most 
 vigorous attacks, would not budge an inch. 
 
 The Arab vainly expended on this unlucky box a 
 strength which would have raised an enormous weight, 
 until, at length, exhausted, panting, and red with anger, 
 he stopped, became thoughtful, and began to comprehend 
 the influences of magic. 
 
 He was on the point of withdrawing; but that would 
 be allowing his weakness, and that he, hitherto respected 
 for his vigor, had become as a little child. This thought 
 rendered him almost mad. 
 
 Deriving fresh strength from the encouragements his 
 friends offered him by word and deed, he turned a glance" 
 round them, which seemed to say : " You will see what a 
 son of the desert can do." 
 
 He bent once again over the box : his nervous hands 
 twined round the handle, and his legs, placed on either 
 side like two bronze columns, served as a support for the 
 final effort. 
 
 But, wonder of wonders ! this Hercules, a moment since 
 so strong and proud, now bows his head ; his arms, riveted
 
 AN ELECTRIC SHOCK. 385 
 
 to the box, undergo a violent muscular contraction ; his 
 legs give way, and he falls on his knees with a yell of 
 agony ! 
 
 An electric shock, produced by an inductive apparatus, 
 had been passed, on a signal from me, from the further 
 end of the stage into the handle of the box. Hence the 
 contortions of the poor Arab ! 
 
 It would have been cruelty to prolong this scene. 
 
 I gave a second signal, and the electric current was 
 immediately intercepted. My athlete, disengaged from 
 his terrible bondage, raised his hands over his head. 
 
 "Allah! Allah!" he exclaimed, full of terror; then 
 wrapping himself up quickly in the folds of his burnous, 
 as if to hide his disgrace, he rushed through the ranks of 
 the spectators and gained the front entrance. 
 
 With the exception of my stage boxes and the privileged 
 spectators who appeared to take great pleasure in this ex- 
 periment, my audience had become grave and silent, and 
 I heard the words " Shaitan !" " Djenoum !" passing in 
 a murmur round the circle of credulous men, who, while 
 gazing on me, seemed astonished that I possessed none of 
 the physical qualities attributed to the angel of darkness. 
 
 I allowed my public a few moments to recover from tho 
 emotion produced by my experiment and the flight of the 
 herculean Arab. 
 
 One of the means employed by the Marabouts to gain 
 influence in the eyes of the Arabs is by causing a belief 
 in their invulnerability. 
 
 One of them, for instance, ordered a gun to be loaded 
 and fired at him from a short distance, but in vain did the 
 flint produce a shower of sparks; the Marabout pro- 
 nounced some cabalistic words, and the gun did not ex- 
 plode. 
 
 z
 
 386 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 The mystery was simple enough ; the gun did not go 
 off because the Marabout had skillfully stopped up the 
 vent. 
 
 Colonel de Neveu explained to me the importance of 
 discrediting such a miracle by opposing to it a sleight-of- 
 hand trick far superior to it, and I had the very article. 
 
 I informed the Arabs that I possessed a talisman ren- 
 dering me invulnerable, and I defied the best marksman 
 in Algeria to hit me. 
 
 I had hardly uttered the words, when an Arab, who had 
 attracted my notice by the attention he had paid to my 
 tricks, jumped over four rows of seats, and disdaining the 
 use of the "practicable," crossed the orchestra, upsetting 
 flutes, clarionets, and violins, escaladed the stage, while 
 burning himself at the foot-lights, and then said, in excel- 
 lent French, 
 
 " I will kill you !" 
 
 An immense burst of laughter greeted both the Arab's 
 picturesque ascent and his murderous intentions, while an 
 interpreter who stood near me told me I had to deal with 
 a Marabout. 
 
 "You wish to kill me !" I replied, imitating his accent 
 and the inflection of his voice. "Well, I reply, that 
 though you are a sorcerer, I am still a greater one, and 
 you will not kill me." 
 
 I held a cavalry pistol in my hand, which I presented 
 to him. 
 
 " Here, take this weapon, and assure yourself it has 
 undergone no preparation." 
 
 The Arab breathed several times down the barrel, then 
 through the nipple, to assure himself there was a commu- 
 nication between them, and after carefully examining the 
 pistol, said:
 
 A TALISMAN. 387 
 
 " The weapon is good, and I will kill you." 
 
 " As you are determined, and for more certainty, put 
 in a double charge of powder, and a wad on the top." 
 
 " It is done." 
 
 " Now, here is a leaden ball ; mark it with your knife, 
 so as to be able to recognize it, and put it in the pistol, 
 with a second wad." 
 
 " It is done." 
 
 "Now that you are quite sure your pistol is loaded, 
 and that it will explode, tell me, do you feel no remorse, 
 no scruple about killing me thus, although I authorize you 
 to do so ?" 
 
 " No, for I wish to kill you," the Arab repeated, coldly. 
 
 Without replying, I put an apple on the point of a 
 knife, and, standing a few yards from the Marabout, 
 ordered him to fire. 
 
 " Aim straight at the heart," I said to him. 
 
 My opponent aimed immediately, without the slightest 
 hesitation. 
 
 The pistol exploded, and the bullet lodged in the centre 
 of the apple. 
 
 I carried the talisman to the Marabout, who recognized 
 the ball he had marked. 
 
 I could not say that this trick produced greater stupe- 
 faction than the once preceding it : at any rate, my spec- 
 tators, palsied by surprise and terror, looked round in 
 silence, seeming to think, " Where the deuce have we got 
 to here !" 
 
 A pleasant scene, however, soon unwrinkled many of 
 their faces. The Marabout, though stupefied by his 
 defeat, had not lost his wits ; so, profiting by the moment 
 when he returned me the pistol, he seized the apple, thrust 
 it into his waist-belt, and could not be induced to return it,
 
 388 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 persuaded as he was that he possessed in it an incompara- 
 ble talisman. 
 
 For the last trick in my performance I required the as- 
 sistance of an Arab. 
 
 At the request of several interpreters, a young Moor, 
 about twenty years of age, tall, well built, and richly 
 dressed, consented to come on the stage. Bolder and 
 more civilized, doubtlessly, than his comrades of the 
 plains, he walked firmly up to me. 
 
 I drew him towards the table that was in the centre of 
 the stage, and pointed out to him and to the other specta- 
 tors that it was slightly built and perfectly isolated. 
 After which, without further preface, I told him to mount 
 upon it, and covered him with an enormous cloth cone, 
 open at the top. 
 
 Then, drawing the cone and its contents on to a plank, 
 the ends of which were held by my servant and myself, we 
 walked to the foot-lights with our heavy burden, and up- 
 set it. The Moor had disappeared the cone was per- 
 fectly empty ! 
 
 Immediately there began a spectacle which I shall never 
 forget. 
 
 The Arabs were so affected by this last trick, that, im- 
 pelled by an irresistible feeling of terror, they rose in all 
 parts of the house, and yielded to the influence of a gene- 
 ral panic. To tell the truth, the crowd of fugitives was 
 densest at the door of the dress circle, and it could be seen, 
 from the agility and confusion of these high dignitaries, 
 that they were the first to wish to leave the house. 
 
 Vainly did one of them, the Ca'id of the Beni-Salah, 
 more courageous than his colleagues, try to restrain them 
 by his words : 
 
 " Stay ! stay ! we cannot thus lose one of our co-reli-
 
 SAUVE QUI PEUT! 889 
 
 gionists. Surely we must know what has become of him, 
 or what has been done to him. Stay ! stay !" 
 
 But the co-religionists only ran away the faster, and 
 soon the courageous caid, led away by their example, fol- 
 lowed them. 
 
 They little knew what awaited them at the door of the 
 theatre ; but they had scarce gone down the steps when 
 they found themselves face to face with the " resuscitated 
 Moor." 
 
 The first movement of terror overcome, they surrouuded 
 the man, felt and cross-questioned him ; but, annoyed by 
 these repeated questions, he had no better resource than 
 to escape at full speed. 
 
 The next evening the second performance took place, 
 and produced nearly the same effect as the previous one. 
 
 The blow was struck : henceforth the interpreters and 
 all those who had dealings with the Arabs received orders 
 to make them understand that my pretended miracles were 
 only the result of skill, inspired and guided by an art 
 calle.d prestidigitation, in no way connected with sorcery. 
 
 The Arabs doubtlessly yielded to these arguments, for 
 henceforth I was on the most friendly terms with them. 
 Each time a chief saw me, he never failed to come up and 
 press my hand. And, even more, these men whom I had 
 so terrified, when they became my friends, gave me a pre- 
 cious testimony of their esteem I may say, too, of their 
 admiration, for that is their own expression. 
 
 Three days had elapsed since my last performance, when 
 I received a despatch from the governor, ordering me to 
 be at the palace by twelve o'clock, military time. 
 
 Of course I kept the appointment, and the last stroke 
 of twelve was still striking by the clock of the neighboring
 
 390 MEMOIRS OF EOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 mosque when I sent in my name at the palace. A staff 
 officer immediately came to me. 
 
 " Come with me, M. Robert-Houdin," he said, with a 
 half mysterious air. "I am ordered to conduct you." 
 
 I followed my conductor, and, as the door of a magnifi- 
 cent room was open at the end of a gallery we Crossed, I 
 saw a strange sight. Some thirty of the most important 
 Arab chiefs were arranged in a circle, of which I natu- 
 rally formed the centre when I entered the room. 
 
 " Salam aleikoum !" they said, in a grave and almost 
 solemn voice, as they laid their hands on their hearts. 
 
 I first returned this salutation by bowing in the French 
 fashion, and then by several hand-shakings, beginning 
 with those chiefs whose acquaintance I had already 
 formed. 
 
 At the head was the Bash-Aga Bou-Allem, the African 
 Rothschild, in whose tent I had drunk my coffee at the 
 Arab camp during the races. 
 
 Next came the Ca'id Assa, with a wooden leg, who had 
 also offered me pipes and coffee in the same encampment. 
 As this chief did not understand a word of French,, my 
 friend Boukandoura was enabled, during a visit we paid 
 him, to tell me the history of the wooden leg in his 
 presence. 
 
 " Assa," my friend said, "having had his leg shattered 
 in an affair against the French, owed his escape to the 
 speed of his horse. Once in a place of safety, he himself 
 cut off his leg above the knee, and then, in his wild energy, 
 thrust the mutilated stump into a vessel full of boiling 
 pitch, in order to stop the hemorrhage." 
 
 Wishing to return the salutations I had received, I went 
 round the group, offering my hand to each in turn. But 
 my task was remarkably abridged, for the ranks thinned
 
 AN ADDRESS. 391 
 
 at my approach, as many of the company had not the cour- 
 age to take the hand of a man they had seriously regarded 
 as a sorcerer or the demon in person. 
 
 This incident, however, did not disturb the ceremony in 
 any way. After a laugh at the pusillanimity of the fugi- 
 tives, each re-assumed that gravity which is the normal 
 condition of the Arab countenance. 
 
 Then the most aged chief in the assembly advanced 
 towards me, and unrolled an enormous MS. It was an 
 address, written in verse, a perfect masterpiece of native 
 caligraphy, and adorned with graceful arabesques drawn 
 by hand. 
 
 The worthy Arab, who was at least seventy years of age, 
 then read, in a loud voice, the piece of Mussulman poetry, 
 which was perfectly unintelligible to me, as I knew only 
 three words of Arabic. 
 
 When the reading was ended, the orator drew from his 
 belt the signet of his tribe, and solemnly placed it at the 
 bottom of the page. The principal Arab chiefs and dig- 
 nitaries followed his example, and when all the seals had 
 been affixed, my old friend took the paper, and after as- 
 suring himself the imprints were quite dry, he rolled it up 
 and presented it to me, saying, in excellent French, and 
 in a tone that revealed his sincerity : 
 
 " To a merchant, gold is given ; to a warrior, arms are 
 offered ; to thee, Robert-Houdin, we present a testimony 
 of our admiration, which thou canst hand down to thy 
 children." And, translating a verse he had just read in 
 Arabic, he added, " Pardon us for presenting thee with 
 such a trifle, but is it fitting to offer mother-o'-pearl to the 
 man who possesses the real jewel ?" 
 
 I avow very frankly that never in my life did I experi- 
 ence such sweet emotion never had my success pene-
 
 392 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUPIN. 
 
 trated so fully to my heart ; and, moved more than I can 
 express, I turned to wipe away a tear of sympathy. 
 
 These details, as well as the following, certainly wound 
 my modesty a little, but I cannot make up my mind to 
 pass them over in silence ; hence, I must beg the reader 
 to accept them as a mere picture of manners. 
 
 I declare, too, that the thought never entered my mind 
 of having deserved such praise, and yet I cannot refrain 
 from feeling as much flattered as grateful for this homage, 
 and regarding it as the most precious souvenir of my pro- 
 fessional career. 
 
 This declaration made, I will furnish a translation of 
 the address, in the words used by the caligrapher him- 
 self: 
 
 " Homage offered to Robert-Houdin, by the chiefs of the 
 Arab tribes, after his performances given at Algiers on tho 
 28th and 29th of October, 1856. 
 
 "GLORY TO GOD, 
 
 who teaches us what we know not, and enables us to ex- 
 press the treasures of the mind by the flowers of eloquence 
 and the signs of writing. 
 
 " Generous-handed destiny has sent down from above, 
 in the midst of lightning and thunder, like a powerful and 
 fertilizing rain, the marvel of the moment and the age, 
 him who cultivates the surprising arts and marvellous sci- 
 ences the iSM-Robert-Houdin. 
 
 " Our century has seen no one comparable with him. 
 The splendor of his talent surpasses the most brilliant 
 productions of past ages. Our age is the more illustrious 
 because it has possessed him.
 
 FLOWERY COMPLIMENTS. 393 
 
 " He has known how to stir our hearts and astonish our 
 minds, by displaying to us the surprising facts of his 
 marvellous science. Our eyes were never before fascinated 
 by such prodigies. What he accomplishes cannot be de- 
 scribed. We owe him our gratitude for all the things by 
 which he has delighted our eyes and our minds ; hence, 
 our friendship for him has sunk into our hearts like a per- 
 fumed shower, and our bosoms preciously conceal it. 
 
 "We shall in vain attempt to raise our praises to the 
 height of his merit; we must lower our brows before him 
 and pay him homage, so long as the benevolent shower 
 fertilizes the soil, so long as the moon illuminates the 
 night, so long as the clouds come to temper the heat of 
 the sun. 
 
 " Written by the slave of God, 
 
 "ALI-BEN-EL-HADJI MOUSSA. 
 
 "Pardon us for presenting thee with," &c. &c. 
 
 Then follow the seals and signatures of the chiefs of the 
 tribes. 
 
 After the ceremony was over, and the Arabs had left 
 us, the marshal-governor, whom I had not seen since my 
 performances, being desirous to give me an idea of the ef- 
 fect they had produced on the minds of the natives, quoted 
 the following incident: 
 
 A Kabyle chief, who had come to Algiers to make his 
 submission, was taken to my first performance. 
 
 The next day, at an early hour, he went to the palace, 
 and asked to speak with the governor. 
 
 "I have," he said to the marshal, "to ask your permis- 
 sion to return immediately to my tribe." 
 
 "You must be aware," the marshal replied, "that the
 
 394 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 forms are not yet filled up, and the papers will not be in 
 order for three days ; you will, therefore, remain for that 
 period." 
 
 "Allah is great," the Arab said, " and if it pleaseth 
 Him I shall go away before, you will not be able to stop 
 me." 
 
 " You will not go, I feel certain, if I forbid it. But 
 tell me, why are you in such a hurry to leave?" 
 
 "After what I saw yesterday I don't wish to stay in 
 Algiers; a misfortune would happen to me." 
 
 " Did you regard the miracles as real?" 
 
 The Kabyle surveyed the marshal with an air of aston- 
 ishment, and, without replying directly to the question 
 addressed him, said : 
 
 "Instead of killing your soldiers in conquering the 
 Kabyles, send your French Marabout to the most rebel 
 tribes, and before a fortnight he will bring them all to 
 you." 
 
 The Kabyle did not leave, for the interpreters managed 
 to remove his fears ; still he was one of those who kept 
 furthest aloof from me during the ceremony I have de- 
 scribed. 
 
 Another Arab also said, on leaving one of my perform- 
 ances : 
 
 " Our Marabouts must now do very great miracles to 
 astonish us." 
 
 These statements from the governor's own lips were 
 very agreeable to me, for up to that moment I had felt 
 rather uneasy ; and although I was certain I had produced 
 a startling impression by my performances, I was en- 
 chanted at learning that the object of my mission had 
 been carried out according to the wishes of government. 
 In addition, before I started for France, the marshal was
 
 THE AISSAOUA. 395 
 
 kind enough to assure me once again that my performances 
 in Algeria had produced the happiest effect in the minds 
 of the natives. 
 
 Although my performances were ended, I was in no 
 hurry to return to France. I was curious, in my turn, to 
 witness a conjuring performance of the Marabouts, or 
 other native jugglers. I had also promised several Arab 
 chiefs to visit them in their douars, and I wished to enjoy 
 this double pleasure. 
 
 There are few Frenchmen who, after a short stay in 
 Algeria, have not heard of the Aissaoua and their mar- 
 vels. The stories I had been told of the experiments per- 
 formed by the followers of Sid-Aissa had inspired me with 
 the liveliest desire to see them, and I was persuaded that 
 all their miracles were only more or less ingenious tricks, 
 jrhich I should be able to detect. 
 
 As M. le Colonel Neveu had promised me the oppor- 
 tunity of seeing them, he kept his word. 
 
 On a day chosen by the Mokaddem, the usual president 
 of this sort of meeting, we went, accompanied by several 
 staff officers and their wives, to an Arab house, and pro- 
 ceeded through a low archway into the inner court, where 
 the ceremony was to take place. Lights artistically fixed 
 on the walls, and carpets spread on the pavement, awaited 
 the arrival of the brothers, while a cushion was reserved 
 for the Mokaddem. 
 
 We all took our seats where we should not disturb the 
 performance, and our ladies went up to a gallery on the 
 first floor, and thus represented our dress-boxes. 
 
 But I will let Colonel Neveu himself describe this scene, 
 by copying verbatim from his interesting work " The Re- 
 ligious Orders among the Mussulmans of Algeria:" 
 
 "The Aissaoua entered, formed a circle in the court-
 
 396 MEMOIRS OF EOBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 yard, and soon began their chants. These were at first 
 slow and solemn chants, and lasted a long time ; then came 
 the praises of Sidi-Muhammad-Ben-Aissa, founder of the 
 order ; after which the Brethren and the Mokaddem, tak- 
 ing up cymbals and tambourines, gradually increased the 
 speed of the chanting. 
 
 " After about two hours the songs had become wild 
 cries, and the gestures of the Brethren had followed the 
 same impulse. Suddenly some of them rose and formed a 
 line, dancing, and pronouncing as gutturally as they could, 
 and with all the vigor of their energetic lungs, the sacred 
 name of Allah. This word, issuing from the mouths of 
 the A'issaoua, seemed rather a savage growl than an invo- 
 cation addressed to the Supreme Being. Soon the noise 
 increased, the most extravagant gestures began, while tur- 
 bans fell off and exposed their shorn heads, which look 
 like those of vultures ; the long folds of their red sashes 
 became unfastened, embarrassing their movements and in- 
 creasing their disorder. 
 
 " Then the A'issaoua moved about on their hands and 
 knees, imitating the movements of wild animals. They 
 seemed to be acting under the influence of some muscular 
 force, and they forgot they were men. 
 
 " When the excitement had reached its height, and the 
 perspiration was running down their bodies, the A'issaoua 
 began their juggling. They called the Mokaddem their 
 father, and asked him for food; he gave to some pieces 
 of glass, which they champed between their teeth; he 
 placed nails in the mouths of others, but, instead of swal- 
 lowing them, they carefully hid their heads in the folds 
 of the Mokaddem's burnous, in order not to let the audi- 
 ence see them remove them. Some devoured thorns and 
 thistles ; others passed their tongues over a red-hot iron
 
 PRETENDED MIRACLES. 397 
 
 and took them in their hands without burning themselves. 
 One man struck his left arm with his right hand : the flesh 
 appeared to open, and the blood poured forth abundantly ; 
 then he passed his hand over his arm, the wound closed, 
 and the blood disappeared. Another leaped on to the 
 edge of a sabre held by two men, and did not cut his feet , 
 while others produced from small leathern sacks scorpions 
 and serpents, which they boldly placed in their mouths." 
 
 I had concealed myself behind a pillar, whence I could 
 survey everything without being noticed. I insisted on 
 not being the dupe of these mysterious tricks : hence I 
 paid the closest attention. 
 
 Both through the remarks I made on the scene of ac- 
 tion, and the ulterior researches I undertook, I am now in 
 a position to give a satisfactory explanation of the miracles 
 of the A'issaoua. But, not to interrupt my narrative, I 
 will refer the reader who is anxious for these details to the 
 end of this volume, and the special chapter I have chris- 
 tened A CHAPTER OF MIRACLES. 
 
 I believe myself the more competent to supply these 
 explanations, as some of the tricks belong to conjuring 
 proper, and others are based on phenomena drawn from 
 the physical sciences.
 
 398 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Excursion in the Interior of Africa The Abode of a Bash-Aga A 
 comical Kepast A Soire"e of Arab Dignitaries A Marabout mys- 
 tified Tent-life in Algeria I return to France A terrible Storm 
 Conclusion. 
 
 ONCE possessed of the secret of the juggling performed 
 by the A'issaoua, I was able to start for the interior of Af- 
 rica. I therefore set out, provided with letters from 
 Colonel de Neveu, to several heads of the Arab depart- 
 ment, his subordinates, and I took with me Mme. Robert- 
 Houdin, who was quite delighted at the thought of making 
 this excursion. 
 
 We were going to visit the Arab beneath his tent or in 
 his house; eat his "couscoussou," which we only knew by 
 name ; study for ourselves the domestic manners and cus- 
 toms of Africa : this was certainly enough to inflame our 
 imagination. So much was this the case, that I hardly 
 ever thought that the month in which we should re-embark 
 for France would be the one in which the Mediterranean 
 is so stormy. 
 
 Among the Arabs who had invited me to visit them, Bou- 
 Allem-Ben-Sherifa, Bash-Aga of the D 'jendel, had pressed 
 me so strongly that I determined on commencing my 
 round of visits with him. 
 
 Our journey from Algiers to Me'de'ah was most prosaic, 
 for a diligence conveyed us there in two days. 
 
 Apart from the interest inspired in us by the peculiar
 
 CAPTAIN RITTER. 399 
 
 vegetation of Algeria, as well as the famous peak of the 
 Mouza'ia, which we passed at a gallop, the incidents of the 
 journey were the same as on any French high road. The 
 hotels were kept by Frenchmen, and you dined at the 
 table d'hote on the same fare, at the same price, and with 
 the same attendance. This bagman's existence was not 
 what we had anticipated on leaving Algiers. Hence, we 
 were delighted to get out at Me'de'ah, as the diligence did 
 not follow the same road as ourselves beyond this point. 
 
 Captain Ritter, head of the Arab office at Me'de'ah, to 
 whom I went, had seen my performances at Algiers : hence, 
 I had no occasion to hand him the letter of recommenda- 
 tion addressed to him by M. de Neveu. He received me 
 with great affiability, and Mme. Ritter joined her entrea- 
 ties to her husband's that we should visit the town. I 
 indeed regretted being obliged to leave such agreeable 
 persons the next morning ; but I was obliged to hurry my 
 tour over before the autumnal rains set in, which render 
 the roads impracticable, and often, indeed, very dangerous. 
 
 The captain acceded to my wishes ; he lent us two 
 horses from his stable, and gave us as a guide to Bou-Al- 
 lem's a ca'id who spoke French excellently. 
 
 This Arab had been caught when quite a youth in a hut 
 which Abd-ul-Khadr had been forced to abandon after one 
 of his numerous defeats. The government sent the lad to 
 the Louis-le Grand College, where he got on excellently 
 in his studies. But, constantly pursued by the remem- 
 brance of his African sky, and the national " couscoussou" 
 our bachelor of arts asked the favor of being sent back to 
 Algeria. Owing to his education he was made cai'd of a 
 small tribe, whose name I have forgotten, but which lay 
 on the route we were going to take. 
 
 My guide whom I will call Muhammad, because I
 
 400 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 have forgotten his name also (for Arab names are difficult 
 to remember by those who have not lived some time in Al- 
 geria) Muhammad, then, was accompanied by four Arabs 
 of his tribe : two of them were to carry our baggage, and 
 the other two wait upon us. All were mounted, and pro- 
 ceeded before us. 
 
 We started at eight in the morning, as our first stage 
 was not to be long, for Muhammad assured me that, if it 
 pleased God (a formula a true believer never omits in 
 speaking of the future), we should arrive at his house in 
 time for breakfast. In fact, about three hours after we 
 had set out, our little caravan reached Muhammad's 
 modest douar, and we dismounted in front of a villa, en- 
 tirely composed of branches, of which the roof was hardly 
 of man's height. This was the caid's reception-room. 
 
 The door was opened, and our guide showed us the way 
 by walking in first. Only one piece of furniture orna- 
 mented the interior ; it was a small wooden stool, which 
 my wife converted into a seat. Muhammad and I seated 
 ourselves on a carpet, which an Arab had spread at our 
 feet, and breakfast was soon served up. Muhammad, who, 
 I fancy, wished to gain our pardon for a grave crime he 
 was about to commit, treated us sumptuously, and almost 
 in the French style. A rich soup, roast fowls, various 
 ragofits, which I cannot describe, as my culinary studies 
 have been very limited, and pastry, which Felix himself 
 would not have disowned, were placed before us in turn. 
 More than that, my wife and I had been handed an iron 
 knife, fork and spoon an unheard of thing at an Arab's. 
 
 The meal had been brought from an adjacent gourbi, 
 where the caid's mother resided. This lady had lived in 
 Algiers for a long time, where she had acquired the skill 
 of which she had just oifered us a specimen.
 
 A DESERTER. 401 
 
 As for Muhammad, he had resumed the fashions of his 
 ancestors, with the Mussulman costume, and lived on dates 
 and "couscoussou," save when he had any guests, which 
 was extremely rare. 
 
 Our breakfast over, the host advised to set out again, 
 if we wished to reach Bou-Allem's before nightfall ; and 
 we followed his advice. 
 
 From Mdde'ah to Muhammad's douar we had followed a 
 tolerable road, but on leaving his house we entered on a 
 barren and desert country, where we saw no other signs 
 of a road than those left by ourselves. The sun poured 
 its most torrid beams upon our heads, and we found no 
 shade along our route to protect us from it. Frequently, 
 too, our progress became very laborious, for we came to 
 ravines, into which we had to descend at the risk of our 
 horses' knees and our own necks. To restore our patience, 
 our guide told us we should soon reach more even ground, 
 and we continued our journey. 
 
 About two hours after leaving our first halt, Muhammad 
 quitted us at full gallop, saying he would soon return, and 
 disappeared behind a mound. 
 
 We never saw our caid again. 
 
 I learned, afterwards, that in his jealousy of Bou-Al- 
 lem's wealth, he preferred incurring a punishment sooner 
 than pay a visit to his rival. 
 
 This flight rendered my wife and myself very uncom- 
 fortable, and we exchanged our ideas on the subject, with 
 no fear of being understood by our guides. We were 
 alarmed by the bad example given by Muhammad. Sup- 
 pose the four Arabs were to imitate their chief, and also 
 abandon us ! What would become of us in a country 
 where, even if we were to meet anybody, we could not 
 make him understand our wishes ? 
 
 2A
 
 402 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 But we escaped with the fear. Our worthy guides re- 
 mained faithful to us, and were even very polite and atten- 
 tive during the journey. Besides, as Muhammad had told 
 us, we soon reached a road leading us straight to the 
 abode of Bou-Allem. 
 
 Compared with the caid's house, the bash-aga's might 
 be considered a princely residence, less, however, through 
 the architectural beauty of the buildings than through 
 their extent. As in all Arab houses, only walls could be 
 seen from without ; all the windows looked on court-yards 
 or gardens. 
 
 Bou-Allem and his son, warned of our arrival, came to 
 meet us, and paid us in Arabic compliments I did not un- 
 derstand, but which I supposed to be the usual salamalecks, 
 that is to say : 
 
 " Be ye welcome, oh ye invited of Deity ! " 
 
 Such, however, was my confidence, that, whatever might 
 have been said to me, I should have accepted it as a com- 
 pliment. 
 
 We dismounted, and sat down upon a stone bench, 
 where coffee was soon served up to us. In Algeria people 
 drink coffee and smoke the whole day long. It is true 
 that this beverage is not made so strong as in France, and 
 the cups are very small. 
 
 Bou-Allem, after lighting a pipe, handed it to me : it 
 was an honor he did me to let me smoke after him, and I 
 could not decline it, though I might have preferred it to 
 be just the "other way about." 
 
 As I have already stated, I only knew three or four 
 words of Arabic, and with such a poor vocabulary it was 
 difficult to talk with my hosts. Still, they evidenced great 
 joy at my arrival, for every moment they renewed their 
 protestations, while laying their hands on their hearts. I
 
 UNSUBSTANTIAL FARE. 403 
 
 replied by similar signs, and hence had not to draw on 
 my imagination to keep up the conversation. 
 
 Later, however, urged by an appetite whose prompt 
 satisfaction I did not calculate on, I ventured on a new 
 pantomime. Laying my hand on the pit of my stomach, 
 and assuming a suffering air, I tried to make Bou-Alleni 
 comprehend that we required more substantial food than 
 civil compliments. The intelligent Arab understood me, 
 and gave orders for the meal to be hastened on. 
 
 In the meanwhile, and to keep us quiet, he offered, by 
 gestures, to show us his apartments. 
 
 We ascended a small stone staircase, and, on arriving 
 at the first floor, our guide opened a door, which offered 
 this peculiarity, that, to pass through it, you were obliged 
 to lower your head and lift your foot simultaneously. In 
 other words, this door was so low, that a man of ordinary 
 height could not pass through it without stooping, and, as 
 the floor was raised, you were obliged to step up on it. 
 
 This chamber was the bash-aga's reception-room ; the 
 walls were covered with red arabesques relieved with gold, 
 and the ground strown with magnificent Turkey carpets. 
 Four divans, covered with rich silk stuffs, completed the 
 entire furniture, with a small mahogany table, on which 
 were spread pipes, porcelain coffee cups, and other objects 
 especially used by Mussulmen. Among them, Bou-Allem 
 took up a flask filled with rose-water, and poured it on our 
 hands. The perfume was delicate ; unfortunately, our 
 host wished to do things grandly, and in order to show the 
 esteem he held us in, employed the rest of the bottle in 
 literally sprinkling us from head to foot. 
 
 We visited two other large rooms, more simply deco- 
 rated than the first, and in one of them was an enormous 
 divan. Bou-Allem made us comprehend that was where 
 he slept.
 
 404 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 These details would have been very interesting at any 
 other moment, but we were dying of hunger, and, accord- 
 ing to the proverb, " a starving belly has neither eyes nor 
 cars." I was just going to recommence my famous panto- 
 mime, when, in passing through a small room, in which 
 the only furniture was a carpet, our cicerone opened his 
 mouth, pointed with his finger that something was to be 
 placed in it, and thus made us understand we were in the 
 dining-room. I laid my hand on my heart to express all 
 the pleasure I experienced. 
 
 By Bou-Allem's invitation we sat down on the carpet, 
 round a large waiter put down in place of a table. 
 
 Once seated, two Arabs came in to wait on us. 
 
 In France, servants wait with their heads uncovered ; 
 in Algeria, they keep on their head-covering ; but, in re- 
 turn, as a mark of respect, they leave their shoes at the 
 door, and serve barefooted. Between our servants and 
 those of the Arabs the only difference is from head to 
 foot. 
 
 We were the only guests seated with Bou-Allem, for the 
 son had not the honor of dining with his father, who 
 always ate alone. 
 
 A species of salad-bowl, filled with something like pump- 
 kin soup, was brought in, and I am very fond of that dish. 
 
 "What a fortunate thing," I said to my wife, "Bou- 
 Allem has guessed my taste ; how I will do honor to his 
 cook." 
 
 My host, doubtlessly, understood the meaning of my 
 remark, for, after offering us each a clumsy wooden spoon, 
 he begged us to follow his example, and plunged his 
 weapon in up to the wrist. We imitated him. 
 
 I soon took out an enormous spoonful, which I hastily 
 lifted to my mouth ; but I had scarce tasted it ere I ex- 
 claimed with a horrible grimace :
 
 ARAB POLITENESS. 405 
 
 "Pouah ! what can that be? My mouth is on fire." 
 
 My wife withdrew the spoonful she had raised to her 
 lips, but either her appetite or her curiosity induced her 
 to taste it. She did so, but soon joined me in coughing. 
 It was a regular pepper-pot. 
 
 While apparently vexed at this contretemps, our host 
 swallowed enormous spoonfuls of the soup, and each time 
 he stretched out his arm with an air of beatitude, in- 
 tended to convey to us, "And yet how good it is." 
 
 The soup-tureen was taken away almost empty. 
 
 " Bueno ! bueno !" Bou-Allem exclaimed, pointing to a 
 dish just placed before us. 
 
 Bueno is Spanish, and the worthy bash-aga, knowing 
 two or three words of that language, was not vexed to 
 display his learning to us. 
 
 This famous dish was a species of ragofit, bearing some 
 affinity to haricot mutton. When I lived at Belleville, 
 this was the masterpiece of Mme. Auguste, and I always 
 gave it a very good reception. Hence, in remembrance 
 of my good old cook, I was about to fall on the ragofit ; 
 but I looked around in vain for a fork, a knife, or even 
 the wooden spoon handed us for the soup. 
 
 Bou-Allem released me from the dilemma ; he showed 
 me, by himself plunging his fingers into the dish, that a 
 fork was a very useless instrument. 
 
 As hunger tormented us, we overcame our repugnance, 
 and my wife, to encourage me, delicately fished up a small 
 piece of mutton. The sauce was very highly spiced, but 
 still, by eating very little meat and a great deal of bread, 
 we were enabled to render the poison innocuous. 
 
 That I might be agreeable to my host, I unfortunately 
 repeated the Spanish words he had taught me. This com- 
 pliment, which ho believed sincere, caused him extreme
 
 406 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 pleasure, and he drew out from the dish a bone with meat 
 hanging to it, and after tearing off some pieces with his 
 nails, offered them politely to my wife. 
 
 I wondered how Madame Houdin would get rid of this 
 singular present ; but she did so much more cleverly than 
 I expected. Bou-Allem having turned his head to give an 
 order, the piece of meat was restored to the dish with 
 astounding craft, and we were much inclined to laugh when 
 our host, unsuspectingly, took this very piece of mutton 
 for his own gratification. 
 
 We welcomed with great satisfaction a roast fowl served 
 after the ragout ; I took on myself to carve it, or, in other 
 words, to tear it asunder with my fingers, and I did so 
 most delicately. We found it so much to our taste that 
 not a particle was left. 
 
 The came other dishes, which we tasted with due care, 
 among them being the famous "couscoussou," which I 
 found detestable, and the meal terminated with sweet- 
 meats. 
 
 Our hands were in a deplorable condition, and an Arab 
 brought us each a basin and soap to wash them. 
 
 Bou-Allem, after performing the operation, and washing 
 his beard with the greatest care, took a handful of soap- 
 suds and rinsed his mouth. This was the only liquor 
 served at table. 
 
 After dinner we proceeded to another room, and, on the 
 road were joined by a young Arab whom Bou-Allem had 
 sent for. This man had been for a long time servant at 
 Algiers, and spoke French excellently; hence he would 
 serve as our interpreter. 
 
 We entered a small room very elegantly decorated, in 
 which were two divans. 
 
 " This," our host said, " is the room reserved for guests
 
 OUR VISITORS. 407 
 
 of distinction ; you can go to bed when you like, but if 
 you are not tired, I would ask your leave to present to 
 you several chief men of my tribe, who, having heard of 
 you, wish to see you." 
 
 "Let them come in," I said, after consulting Madame 
 Houdin, "we will receive them with pleasure." 
 
 The interpreter went out, and soon brought in a dozen 
 old men, among whom were a Marabout and several 
 talebs, whom the bash-aga appeared to hold in great de- 
 ference. 
 
 They sat down in a circle on carpets and kept up a very 
 lively conversation about my performances at Algiers. 
 This learned society discussed the probability of the mar- 
 vels related by the chief of the tribe, who took great 
 pleasure in depicting his impressions and those of his co- 
 religionists at the sight of the miracles I had performed. 
 
 Each lent an attentive ear to these stories, and regarded 
 me with a species of veneration ; the Marabout alone dis- 
 played a degree of scepticism, and asserted that the spec- 
 tators had been duped by what he called a vision. 
 
 Jealous of my reputation as a French sorcerer, I thought 
 I must perform before the unbeliever a few tricks as a spe- 
 cimen of my late performance. I had the pleasure of as- 
 tounding my audience, but the Marabout continued to 
 offer me a systematic opposition, by which his neighbors 
 were visibly annoyed ; the poor fellow did not suspect, 
 though, what I had in store for him. 
 
 My antagonist wore in his sash a watch, the chain of 
 which hung outside. 
 
 I believe I have already mentioned a certain talent I 
 possess of filching a watch, a pin, a pocket-book, &c., with 
 a skill by which several of my friends have been vic- 
 timized.
 
 408 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 T was fortunately born with an honest and upright heart, 
 or this peculiar talent might have led me too far. When 
 I felt inclined for a joke of this nature, I turned it to profit 
 in a conjuring trick, or waited till my friend took leave of 
 me, and then recalled him : " Stay," I would say, handing 
 him the stolen article, " let this serve as a lesson to 
 put you on your guard against persons less honest than 
 myself." 
 
 But to return to our Marabout. I had stolen his watch 
 as I passed near him and slipped into its place a five-franc 
 piece. 
 
 To prevent his detecting it, and while waiting till I 
 could profit by my larceny, I improvised a trick. After 
 juggling away Bou-Allem's rosary, I made it pass into 
 one of the numerous slippers left at the door by the guests ; 
 this shoe was next found to be full of coins, and to end 
 this little scene comically, I made five-franc pieces come 
 out of the noses of the spectators. They took such plea- 
 sure in this trick that I fancied I should never terminate 
 it. "Douros! douros !" they shouted, as they twitched 
 their noses. I willingly acceded to their request, and the 
 douros issued at command. 
 
 The delight was so great that several Arabs rolled on 
 the ground ; this coarsely expressed joy on the part of 
 Mohammedans was worth frenzied applause to me. 
 
 I pretended to keep aloof from the Marabout, who, as I 
 expected, remained serious and impassive. 
 
 When calm was restored, my rival began speaking hur- 
 riedly to his neighbors, as if striving to dispel their illu- 
 sion, and, not succeeding, he addressed me through the 
 interpreter : 
 
 "You will not deceive me in that way," he said, with a 
 crafty look.
 
 A MARABOUT PUZZLED. 409 
 
 "Why so?" 
 
 " Because I don't believe in your power." 
 
 " Ah, indeed ! Well, then, if you do not believe in my 
 power, I will compel you to believe in my skill." 
 
 "Neither in one nor the other." 
 
 I was at this moment the whole length of the room from 
 the Marabout. 
 
 " Stay," I said to him ; " you see this five-franc piece." 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Close your hand firmly, for the piece will go into it in 
 spite of yourself." 
 
 "I am ready," the Arab said, in an incredulous voice, 
 as he held out his tightly closed fist. 
 
 I took the piece at the end of my fingers, so that the 
 assembly might all see it, then, feigning to throw it at the 
 Marabout, it disappeared at the word "Pass !" 
 
 My man opened his hand, and, finding nothing in it, 
 shrugged his shoulders, as if to say, " You see, I told 
 you so." 
 
 I was well aware the piece was not there, but it was 
 important to draw the Marabout's attention momenta- 
 rily from the sash, and for this purpose I employed the 
 feint. 
 
 "That does not surprise me," I replied, "for I threw 
 the piece with such strength that it we-nt right through 
 your hand, and has fallen into your sash. Being afraid 
 I might break your watch by the blow, I called it to 
 me: here it is!" And I showed him the watch in my 
 hand. 
 
 The Marabout quickly put his hand in his waist-belt, 
 to assure himself of the truth, and was quite stupefied at 
 finding the five-franc piece. 
 
 The spectators were astounded. Some among them
 
 410 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 began telling their beads with a vivacity evidencing a 
 certain agitation of mind ; but the Marabout frowned 
 without saying a word, and I saw he was spelling over 
 some evil design. 
 
 " I now believe in your supernatural power," he said ; 
 "you are a real sorcerer; hence, I hope you will not fear 
 to repeat here a trick you performed in your theatre ;" 
 and offering me two pistols he held concealed beneath his 
 burnous, he added, " Come, choose one of these pistols ; 
 we will load it, and I will fire at you. You have nothing 
 to fear, as you can ward off all blows." 
 
 I confess I was for a moment staggered; I sought a 
 subterfuge and found none. All eyes were fixed upon 
 me, and a reply was anxiously awaited. 
 
 The Marabout was triumphant. 
 
 Bou-Allem, being aware that my tricks were only the 
 result of skill, was angry that his guest should be so pes- 
 tered ; hence he began reproaching the Marabout. I stop- 
 ped him, however, for an idea had occurred to me which 
 would save me from my dilemma, at least temporarily ; 
 then, addressing my adversary : 
 
 "You are aware," I said, with assurance, "that I re- 
 quire a talisman in order to be invulnerable, and, unfor- 
 tunately, I have left mine at Algiers." 
 
 The Marabout began laughing with an incredulous air. 
 
 "Still," I continued, "I can, by remaining six hours 
 at prayers, do without the talisman, and defy your weapon. 
 To-morrow morning, at eight o'clock, I will allow you to 
 fire at me in the presence of these Arabs, who were wit- 
 nesses of your challenge." 
 
 Bou-Allem, astonished at such a promise, asked me 
 once again if this offer were serious, and if he should in- 
 vite the company for the appointed hour. On my affirrna-
 
 MI PREPARATIONS. 411 
 
 tivc, they agreed to meet before the stone bench I have 
 already alluded to. 
 
 I did not spend my night at prayers, as may be sup- 
 posed, but I employed about two hours in ensuring my 
 invulnerability ; then, satisfied with the result, I slept 
 soundly, for I was terribly tired. 
 
 By eight the next morning we had breakfasted, our 
 horses were saddled, and our escort was awaiting the 
 signal for our departure, which would take place after the 
 famous experiment. 
 
 None of the guests were absent, and, indeed, a great 
 number of Arabs came in to swell the crowd. 
 
 The pistols were handed me ; I called attention to the 
 fact that the vents were clear, and the Marabout put in a 
 fair charge of powder and drove the wad home. Among 
 the bullets produced, I chose one which I openly put in 
 the pistol, and which was then also covered with paper. 
 
 The Arab watched all these movements, for his honor 
 was at stake. 
 
 We went through the same process with the second pis- 
 tol and the solemn moment arrived. 
 
 Solemn, indeed, it seemed to everybody to the spec- 
 tators who were uncertain of the issue, to Madame Houdin, 
 who had in vain besought me to give up this trick, for she 
 feared the result and solemn also to me, for as my new 
 trick did not depend on any of the arrangements made at 
 Algiers, I feared an error, an act of treachery I knew 
 not what. 
 
 Still I posted myself at fifteen paces from the sheik, 
 without evincing the slightest emotion. 
 
 The Marabout immediately seized one of the pistols, 
 and, on my giving the signal, took a deliberate aim at me. 
 The pistol went off, and the ball appeared between my teeth.
 
 412 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUBIN. 
 
 More angry than ever, my rival tried to seize the other 
 pistol, but I succeeded in reaching it before him. 
 
 "You could not injure me," I said to him, "but you 
 shall now see that my aim is more dangerous than yours. 
 Look at that wall." 
 
 I pulled the trigger, and on the newly whitewashed 
 wall appeared a large patch of blood, exactly at the spot 
 where I had aimed. 
 
 The Marabout went up to it, dipped his finger in the 
 blood, and, raising it to his mouth, convinced himself of 
 the reality. When he acquired this certainty, his arms 
 fell, and his head was bowed on his chest, as if he were 
 annihilated. 
 
 It was evident that for the moment he doubted every- 
 thing, even the Prophet. 
 
 The spectators raised their eyes to heaven, muttered 
 prayers, and regarded me with a species of terror. 
 
 This scene was a triumphant termination to my per- 
 formance. I therefore retired, leaving the audience under 
 the impression had I produced. We took leave of Bou- 
 Allem and his son, and set off at a gallop. 
 
 The trick I have just described, though so curious, is 
 easily prepared. I will give a description of it, while ex- 
 plaining the trouble it took me. 
 
 As soon as I was alone in my room, I took out of my 
 pistol-case without which I never travel a bullet mould. 
 
 I took a card, bent up the four edges, and thus made a 
 sort of trough, in which I placed a piece of wax taken from 
 one of the candles. When it was melted, I mixed with it 
 a little lamp-black I had obtained by putting the blade of 
 a knife over the candle, and then ran this composition in 
 the bullet-mould. 
 
 Had I allowed the liquid to get quite cold, the ball
 
 CONJURING BULLETS. 413 
 
 would have been full and solid ; but in about ten seconds 
 I turned the mould over, and the portions of the wax not 
 yet set ran out, leaving a hollow ball in the mould. This 
 operation is the same as that used in making tapers, the 
 thickness of the outside depending on the time the liquid 
 has been left in the mould. 
 
 I wanted a second ball, which I made rather more solid 
 than the other ; and this I filled with blood, and covered 
 the orifice with a lump of wax. An Irishman had once* 
 taught me the way to draw blood from the thumb, without 
 feeling any pain, and I employed it on this occcasion to 
 fill my bullet. 
 
 Bullets thus prepared bear an extraordinary resemblance 
 to lead, and are easily mistaken for that metal when seen 
 at a short distance off. 
 
 With this explanation, the trick will be easily under- 
 stood. After showing the leaden bullet to the spectators, 
 I changed it for my hollow ball, and openly put the latter 
 into the pistol. By pressing the wad tightly down, the 
 wax broke into small pieces, and could not touch me at the 
 distance I stood. 
 
 At the moment the pistol was fired, I opened my mouth 
 to display the lead bullet I held between- my teeth, while 
 the other pistol contained the bullet filled with blood, which 
 bursting against the wall, left its imprint, though the wax 
 had flown to atoms. 
 
 After a pleasant journey, we reached Milianah at four in 
 the afternoon. The head of the Arab office, Captain Bour- 
 seret, received us most kindly, and begged us to regard 
 his house as our own during the whole time of our stay. 
 
 M. Bourseret resided with his mother, and that exceK 
 lent lady showed Madame Robert-Houdin all those deli- 
 cate attentions which only a friend of long standing could 
 have claimed.
 
 414 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 Our trip across the D'jendel had fatigued us, hence we 
 passed the greater portion of the next day in resting our- 
 selves. 
 
 At night, the captain gave a grand dinner, to which the 
 general commanding, the lieutenant-colonel, and some 
 notabilities of the town were invited. After the repast, I 
 thought I could not better repay my polite reception than 
 by giving a small performance, in which I displayed all my 
 skill. As I had told M. Bourseret, during the day, of 
 my intention, he had invited a large evening party ; and I 
 must suppose my experiments pleased, if I may judge by 
 the greeting they received. Besides, my public were so 
 favorably disposed towards me, that they often applauded 
 on trust, as they could not all see very well. 
 
 Milianah was the end of my journey. I could only remain 
 three days, if I wished to return to Algiers in time for the 
 steamer that would convey us to France. 
 
 M. Bourseret arranged an excursion for the second day 
 of my stay at his house to visit the Beni-Menasseh, a 
 nomadic tribe at that time encamped a few leagues from 
 Milianah. 
 
 At six in the morning we took horse, accompanied by 
 some of the captain's friends, and went down the moun- 
 tain on which the town is built. 
 
 We were escorted by a dozen Arabs attached to the 
 office, all clothed in red mantles, and armed with guns. 
 
 Orders had certainly been given beforehand, for, on 
 reaching the plain, at the first goum we passed through, 
 ten Arabs mounted their horses and formed our escort. 
 A little further on another troop joined the first, and our 
 band, acting like a rolling snow-ball, ended by attaining 
 considerable proportions. It was composed of about two 
 hundred Arabs.
 
 A FANTASIA. 415 
 
 After two hours' inarch, we quitted the high road, and 
 entered a plain that extended an immense distance in 
 front of us. 
 
 Suddenly, the Arabs who accompanied us, probably in 
 obedience to a signal from the chief, started off at a gallop, 
 and proceeded five or six hundred yards ahead. There 
 the troop divided, formed four deep, and the men of the 
 first file rushed upon us, uttering frenzied cries as they 
 held their guns to their shoulders and prepared to fire. 
 
 Our little band happened to be in front at this moment. 
 The Arabs rushed upon us with the velocity of a steam- 
 engine, and in a few seconds we should have suffered a col- 
 lision that must have crushed us all. 
 
 A sound of firing was heard : all the horsemen had dis- 
 charged their guns with admirable precision over our heads. 
 Their horses plunged, turned on their hind legs, and started 
 off at full speed to join the troop. 
 
 The Arab might have been taken for a perfect Centaur, 
 when we saw him, while riding at this frantic speed, load 
 his gun, and perform with it all the tricks peculiar to the 
 drum-major. 
 
 The first file of horsemen had scarce retired when the 
 second came forward, and went through a similar perform- 
 ance, which was repeated at least twenty times. Our cap- 
 tain had arranged for us the surprise of a fantasia. 
 
 At the noise of the firing some of our horses had started, 
 but, the first moment of surprise passed, they remained 
 perfectly quiet. My wife's horse was an animal of ap- 
 proved docility, hence it was far less affected than its 
 rider ; still, every one did my wife the justice of stating 
 that, after the first shock was over, she remained as calm 
 as the boldest warrior among us. 
 
 The fantasia terminated, the Arabs took their place in
 
 416 * MEMOIRS OP ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 the escort again, and within an hour we reached the tents 
 of the Beni-Menasseh. 
 
 The Aga Ben-Amara was awaiting us. On our arrival 
 he advanced towards us, and humbly kissed the captain's 
 hand, while other men of his tribe, in order to do honor to 
 our visit, discharged their guns almost under our horses' 
 noses. But men and beasts were case-hardened, and there 
 was not the slightest movement in our ranks. 
 
 Ben-Amara conducted us into his tent, where each sat 
 down at his ease on a large carpet. 
 
 Our arrival caused a sensation in the tribe, for while 
 we were smoking and drinking coffee a large number of 
 Arabs, impelled by curiosity, ranged themselves in a circle 
 round us, and in their immobility resembled an avenue of 
 bronze statues. 
 
 We devoted about an hour to the pleasures of conversa- 
 tion, waiting for the diffa (meal), which we were impatiently 
 desiring. We even began to find the time very long, when 
 we saw a procession approaching, with banners at its head. 
 
 These banners puzzled me, and seemed very strange, for 
 they were folded up. All at once the ranks of our peace- 
 able spectators opened, and my surprise was great on find- 
 ing what I took for banners were only sheep roasted whole 
 and spitted on long poles. 
 
 Two of these sheep-bearers marched in front. They 
 were followed by some twenty men, ranged in line, each 
 of whom bore one of the dishes -intended to compose our 
 diffa. 
 
 These consisted of ragouts and roasts of every descrip- 
 tion, the inevitable "couscoussou," and, lastly, a dozen 
 dishes of dessert, the handiwork of Ben-Amara's wives. 
 
 This perambulating dinner was a delicious sight, espe- 
 cially for people whose appetites had been singularly
 
 STRANGE BANNERS. 417 
 
 sharpened by the fresh air and the emotions produced by 
 the fantasia. 
 
 The head cook marched in front, and, like M. Malbroug's 
 officer, carried nothing ; but, so soon as he joined us, he 
 set to work actively. Seizing one of the sheep, he un- 
 spitted it, and laid it before us on a lordly dish. 
 
 To my companions, nearly all Algerian veterans, this 
 gigantic roast was no novelty ; as for my wife and myself, 
 the sight of such food would have been enough to pacify 
 our hunger under other circumstances, but now we has- 
 tened to join the circle round this gigantic dish, which was 
 worthy of Gargantua. 
 
 We were obliged, as at Bou-Allem's, to pull the animal 
 piece-meal with our fingers ; each tore up a strip at will 
 I must confess, at starting, with some repugnance. Then, 
 impelled by a ferocious appetite, we fell on the sheep like 
 wolves, and I know not whether it was owing to the sauce 
 we all had, but the guests unanimously declared they had 
 never eaten anything so good as this roast mutton. 
 
 When we had selected the most delicate pieces, our cook 
 proposed to produce the other animal, but, on our refusal, 
 he served up roast fowls, to which we did our manly devoir. 
 Then, turning up our noses at the pepper-pot and " cous- 
 coussou," which smelled strongly of rancid butter, we x 
 made up for the want of bread during the meal by nibbling 
 excellent little cakes. 
 
 There was something really princely about the aga's 
 reception, so, to thank him, I proposed to give a small per- 
 formance before my numerous spectators, who, in their 
 passionate admiration, could not leave the ground. By 
 their chief's orders they drew nearer and formed a circle 
 round me. The captain was kind enough to act as my 
 interpreter, and thanks to him, I was enabled to perform 
 
 2B
 
 418 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 a dozen of my best tricks. The effect produced was such 
 that I could not possibly continue, for every one fled at 
 my approach. Ben-Ainara assured us they took me for 
 Shaitan himself, but, had I worn the Mohammedan cos- 
 tume, they would have cast themselves at my feet as an 
 envoy from Heaven. 
 
 On our return to Milianah, the captain, to crown this 
 delicious day of pleasure, gave us the spectacle of a chase, 
 in which the Arabs, galloping at full speed, caught hares 
 and partridges without once firing. 
 
 The following day we took leave of M. Bourseret and 
 his excellent mother, and proceeded towards Algiers, but 
 not by a cross-road, for we had had enough of them in 
 traversing the D jendel. This sort of party of pleasure, 
 in reality a party of pain, may be agreeable for once, for 
 its serves to revive in our inconstant minds the remem- 
 brance of the comfort we have voluntarily given up. 
 Hence we took the diligence to Algiers, and on this occa- 
 sion fully appreciated all the advantage of this mode of 
 transport. 
 
 The Alexander steamer, which had brought us from 
 France, was to start within two days, and this was all the 
 time I had to take leave and thank all those who had 
 shown me so much kindness. 
 
 On quitting Algiers I had the satisfaction of being con- 
 ducted on board the vessel by two officers of high rank, 
 whose kindness I can never repay. M. Palin du Pare, 
 Colonel of the Marine Staff, and Colonel de Neveu did not 
 leave me until the wheels had begun to turn, and those 
 gentlemen were the last whose hands I pressed on the 
 African coast. 
 
 Were I to describe all my travelling incidents, I should 
 have a great deal to narrate before I reached my hermit-
 
 A TERRIBLE STORM. 419 
 
 age at St. Gervais ; but I will adhere to my expressed 
 intention of only alluding to events connected with my 
 professional life. 
 
 A frightful storm at sea a tornado at the summit of 
 the Pyrenees death staring us in the face twenty timea 
 are events as terrible as they are interesting to relate. 
 But these moving episodes, which affect all alike, have 
 been already described by far more skillful pens than 
 mine, hence my description would offer no novelty ; I will 
 content myself, therefore, with giving a summary of this 
 terrible return to France. 
 
 A tempest assailed us in the Gulf of Lyons, and our 
 engines were disabled. Our vessel, after being tossed 
 about for nine days by the winds, at length reached the 
 coast of Spain, and we managed to make the port of Bar- 
 celona, where the authorities would not allow us to land, 
 as we had no passports for Spain. We coasted this inhos- 
 pitable country during a frightful storm, and at length 
 reached the little port of Rosas, where we intended to ride 
 out the tempest. 
 
 Here I landed, and crossed the Pyrenees in an open 
 carriage, a hurricane, the result of the tempest at sea, 
 threatening to hurl us into an abyss at every moment. 
 At last we safely reached France, and Marseilles, where 
 I was obliged to fulfil a promise made to the managers 
 of the Grand Theatre on my former passage through the 
 town. 
 
 I was, indeed, famously recompensed for the fatigues 
 and dangers of my journey; for the Marseillais displayed 
 towards me such unexampled kindness, that these last per- 
 formances will ever remain on my mind as those in which 
 I received the greatest applause. I could not take my 
 leave of the public in a more solemn way, and I hastened 
 my return to St. Gervais.
 
 420 MEMOIES OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 I CAN, in ending this work, repeat what I said at the 
 beginning of my penultimate chapter : " I have reached 
 the object of my every hope." But this time, if it pleases 
 God, as my guide Muhammad would say, no temptation 
 will again come to modify my plans of happiness. I 
 nope still for a long time (always if it pleases God) to en- 
 joy that gentle and peaceful existence which I had scarce 
 tasted when ambition and curiosity took me to Algiers. 
 
 On returning home, I arranged round my study my per- 
 forming instruments, my faithful comrades, I may almost 
 say, my dear friends; henceforth I intended to devote 
 myself to my darling study, the application of electricity 
 to mechanism. 
 
 It must not be believed that, for that purpose, I disown 
 the art to which I owe so much pleasure. The thought is 
 far from me, I am more than ever proud of having culti- 
 vated it, as to it alone I owe the happiness of devoting 
 myself to my new studies. Besides, I diverge from it less 
 than my readers might be inclined to suppose, for I have, 
 during a long period, applied electricity to mechanism, 
 and I must confess if my readers have not already 
 guessed it that electricity played an important part in 
 many of my experiments. In reality, my labors of to-day 
 only differ from the old ones in the form ; but they are 
 still experiments.
 
 THE CURTAIN DROPS. 421 
 
 A lingering love for my old clockmaking trade has made 
 me choose chronornetro-electrical works as the objects of 
 my study. I have adopted as my motto, " to popularize 
 electric clocks by making them as simple and exact as possi- 
 ble." And as art always supposes an ideal which the 
 artist seeks to realize, I already dream of the day when 
 the electric wires, issuing from a single regulator, will 
 radiate through the whole of France, and bear the precise 
 time to the largest towns and the most modest villages. 
 
 In the meanwhile, devoted to the sacred cause of pro- 
 gress, I labor incessantly in the hope that my humble dis- 
 coveries will be of some service in the solution of this 
 important problem. 
 
 My performance is ended (I must remind my readers 
 that I offered them my narrative under this title) ; but I 
 live in hope to begin it again soon, for I have still so many 
 mysteries, great and small, to unveil. Sleight-of-hand is 
 an immense quarry on which public curiosity can work for 
 a long time ; hence I do not take leave of my audience, or 
 rather of my readers, for in the second form of perform 
 ance I have adopted, my farewell will not be definitive, 
 until I have exhausted all that may be said about SLEIGHT- 
 OF-HAND AND ITS PROFESSORS. These two words will serve 
 as the title of the supplemental part of my Memoirs.* 
 
 * It is possible that M. Robert-Houdin intends to take this revenge, 
 owing to the unfair way in which he was treated during his professional 
 career. In 1850, a man who had been seven years in his service, and 
 in whom he placed entire confidence, allowed himself to be seduced by 
 the brilliant offers an amateur made him, and sold the secret of some 
 of his Master's tricks at a high price. Justice was appealed to and 
 stopped this disgraceful traffic : the seller was awarded two years' im- 
 prisonment, but the buyer could not be touched, and thus many of M. 
 Houdin's tricks passed into strange hands.
 
 422 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 A COURSE OF MIRACLES. 
 
 IT has been said of the augurs, that they could not look 
 at each other without a laugh ; it would be the same with 
 the A'issaoua, if Mussulman blood did not flow in their 
 veins. At any rate, there is not one among them who is 
 deceived as to the pretended miracles performed by his 
 brethren, but all lend a hand to execute them successfully, 
 like a company of mountebanks, at the head of whom is 
 the Mokaddem. 
 
 Even supposing that their pretended miracles could not 
 be explained, a simple reflection would destroy their pres- 
 tige. The Aissaoua call themselves invulnerable then, 
 let them ask one of the audience to place the red-hot iron 
 on their cheeks, or some other part of their persons ; they 
 assert they are invulnerable then, let them invite some 
 Zouaves to pass their sabres through them. After such a 
 spectacle, the most incredulous would bow before them. 
 
 Were I incombustible and invulnerable, I should find a 
 pleasure in offering undoubted proofs. I would put my- 
 self on a spit before a scorching fire, and while roasting, 
 would amuse myself with eating a salad of pounded glass, 
 seasoned with oil of vitriol. Such a sight would attract 
 the whole world, and I should become a prophet. 
 
 But the Aissaoua have reason to be prudent in the per-
 
 MIRACLES. 42? 
 
 formances of tliese tricks, as I will prove. The principal 
 miracles are as follows : 
 
 1. Running a dagger into the cheek. 
 
 2. Eating the leaves of the prickly pear. 
 
 3. Laying the stomach on the edge of a sabre. 
 
 4. Playing with serpents. 
 
 5. Striking the arm, causing the blood to flow, and 
 stopping it instantaneously. 
 
 6. Eating pounded glass. 
 
 7. Swallowing pebbles, bottle-heels, &c. 
 
 8. Walking on red-hot iron, or passing the tongue over 
 a white-hot plate of iron. 
 
 Let us begin with the most simple trick, that of thrust- 
 ing a dagger into the cheek. 
 
 The Arab who performed this trick turned his back on 
 me ; hence I could get very near him and watch his move- 
 ments. He placed against his cheek the point of a dagger, 
 which was round and blunt as that of a paper-knife. The 
 flesh, instead of being pierced, went in for about two 
 inches between the molars, which were kept apart, exactly 
 as a cake of india-rubber would do. 
 
 This trick is best performed by thin and aged persons, 
 because the flesh of their cheeks is peculiarly elastic. 
 Kow, the A'issaoua fulfilled these conditions in every re- 
 spect. 
 
 The Arab who ate the prickly pear leaves gave us no 
 opportunity of inspecting them, and I am inclined to be- 
 lieve that the leaves had been prepared so as to do him 
 no injury, otherwise he would not have neglected this im- 
 portant point, which would have doubled the merit of the 
 miracle. But even had he shown them to us, this man 
 went through so many unneccessary manoeuvres, that he
 
 424 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 could very easily have changed them for harmless leaves. 
 In that case, it would be a fifteenth-rate trick of conju- 
 ring. 
 
 In the following experiment, two Arabs held a sabre, 
 one by the hilt, the other by the point ; a third then came 
 forward, and after raising his clothes so as to leave the 
 abdomen quite bare, laid himself flat on the edge of the 
 blade, while a fourth mounted on his back, and seemed to 
 press the whole weight of his body on him. 
 
 This trick may be easily explained. 
 
 Nothing proves to the audience that the sabre is really 
 sharpened, or that the edge is more cutting than the back, 
 although the Arab who holds it by the point is careful to 
 wrap it up in a handkerchief; in this imitating the jugglers 
 who pretend they have cut their finger with one of the 
 daggers they use in their tricks. 
 
 Besides, in performing this trick, the invulnerable turned 
 his back on the audience. He knew the advantage to be 
 derived from this circumstance ; hence, at the moment 
 when about to lay himself on the sabre, he very adroitly 
 pulled back over his stomach that portion of his clothing 
 he had raised. Lastly, when the fourth actor mounted 
 on his back, he rested his hands on the shoulders of the 
 Arabs who held the sabre. The latter apparently main- 
 tained his balance, but, in reality, they supported the 
 whole weight of his body. Hence, the only requirement 
 for this trick is to have the stomach more or less pressed 
 in, and I will explain presently that this can be effected 
 without any injury or danger. 
 
 As for the Aissaoua, who place their hands in a bag 
 filled with serpents, and play with those reptiles, I will 
 rely on Colonel de Neveu's judgment. This is what he 
 says in his work already quoted :
 
 POWDERED GLASS. 425 
 
 " We often pushed our incredulity and curiosity so far 
 as to order the Aissaoua to come to our house with their 
 menagerie. All the animals they stated to us were vipers 
 (lifd}i were only innocent lizards (hanech), and when we 
 offered to put our hand in the bag holding their reptiles, 
 they hastily retired, convinced that we were not duped by 
 their tricks." 
 
 I will add that these serpents, even had they been of a 
 dangerous character, could have had their teeth pulled 
 out, so as to be harmless. In support of this assertion, 
 I noticed that these reptiles left no wound where they bit. 
 
 I did not see the trick performed of striking the arm 
 and making the blood issue ; but it seems to me that a 
 small sponge filled with ruddle and concealed in the stri- 
 king hand, would be enough to accomplish the prodigy. 
 On wiping the arm, the wound is necessarily cured. 
 
 When I was a boy, I often made wine come out of a 
 knife or of my finger, by pressing a small sponge full of the 
 liquor which I concealed in my hand. 
 
 I have often seen men champ wine-glasses between their 
 teeth, and not hurt themselves ; but not one of them swal- 
 lowed the fragments. Hence, it was difficult for me to ex- 
 plain this trick of the Aissaoua, till, by the assistance 
 offered me by a physician, I found in the Dictionnaire deg 
 Sciences MSdicales for 1810, No. 1143, a paper written by 
 Dr. Lesauvage on the harmlessness of powdered glass. 
 
 This gentleman, after quoting various instances of peo- 
 ple he had seen eat glass, thus describes various experi- 
 ments he made on animals : 
 
 " After placing a great number of dogs, cats and rats 
 on a dietary of pounded glass, the fragments being two to 
 three lines in length, not one of the animals was ill, and 
 on opening some of them no injury could be detected all
 
 426 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 along the alimentary canal. Being convinced, too, of the 
 harmlessness of swallowing glass, I determined to take 
 some myself in the presence of my colleague, M. Cagel, 
 of Professor Lallemand, and seyeral other persons. I 
 repeated this experiment several times, and experienced 
 not the slightest feeling of pain." 
 
 These authentic statements ought to have satisfied me ; 
 still, I wished to witness this singular phenomenon with 
 my own eyes. Hence, I gave one of my house cats an enor- 
 mous ball of meat seasoned with pounded glass. The 
 animal swallowed it with the greatest pleasure, and seemed 
 even to regret the end of this succulent meal. My family 
 thought the cat booked for death, and began deploring my 
 barbarity, but the next day the animal was perfectly well, 
 and sniffed the spot where on the previous day it had en- 
 joyed the meal. 
 
 Since that period, whenever I want to indulge a friend 
 with this sight, I regale my three cats, in turn, so as not 
 to excite any jealousy among them. 
 
 It took me some time, I confess, before I could decide 
 on performing Dr. Lesauvage's experiment on myself, and, 
 indeed, I saw no necessity for it. Still, one day, in the 
 presence of a friend, I performed this bravado, if it be so ; 
 I also swallowed my bolus, though I was careful to pound 
 my glass much finer than what I gave to my cats. I know 
 not whether it was the effect of imagination, but I fancied 
 I enjoyed my dinner much more than usual : did I owe 
 this to the pounded glass ? At any rate, it would be a 
 strange way of arousing the appetite. 
 
 When the trick of swallowing bottle-heels and pebbles 
 was to be done, the Aissaoua really put them in his mouth, 
 but I believe, I may say certainly, that he removed them 
 at the moment when he placed his head in the folds of the
 
 THE SABRE SWALLOWER. 427 
 
 Mokaddem's burnous. However, had he swallowed them, 
 there would have been nothing wonderful about this, when 
 we compare it with what was done some thirty years back 
 in France by a mountebank called "the sabre swallower." 
 
 " This man who performed in the streets,* threw back 
 his head so as to form a straight line with his throat, and 
 really thrust down his gullet a sabre, of which only the 
 hilt remained outside the mouth. 
 
 He also swallowed an egg without cracking it, or even< 
 nails and pebbles, which he caused to resound, by striking 
 his stomach with his fist. 
 
 These tricks were the result of a peculiar formation in 
 the mountebank's throat, but, if he had lived among the 
 Aissaoua, he would assuredly have been the leading man 
 of the company. 
 
 Or what would the Arabs have said had they seen the 
 conjurer who passed a sword right through his body, and 
 when thus spitted, also thrust a knife into either nostril 
 up to the handle ? I witnessed this feat, and others have 
 probably done the same. 
 
 This trick was, in reality, so terrifying, that the public 
 would implore the man to leave off ; but without troubling 
 himself about their cries, he would reply, speaking fright- 
 fully through his nose, "that it did hib no harb," and sing 
 in this singular voice the " Fleuve du Tage," which he ac- 
 companied on a guitar. 
 
 I could not endure the sight of this trick, and would 
 turn my head away in horror when the troubadour drew 
 out the sword, and begged us to notice that it was stained 
 with blood. 
 
 Still, on reflection, I was certain the man could not 
 really pierce his stomach thus, and that there must be 
 some trick concealed.
 
 428 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOTJDIN. 
 
 My love of the marvellous made me desire to know it ; 
 hence, I applied to the invulnerable, and on condition of a 
 certain sum, and promises not to use it, he sold me his 
 secret. 
 
 I may, in my turn, communicate it to the public without 
 asking from them the same promise. The trick is, how- 
 ever, rather ingenious. 
 
 The performer was very thin an indispensable quality 
 for the success of the trick. He pressed in his stomach 
 very tightly with a waist-belt, and produced the following 
 result : the vertebral column being unable to bend, served 
 as a support, and the intestines gave way and fell in about 
 half the space they originally occupied. The mountebank 
 then substituted for the suppressed part a card-board 
 stomach which restored him to his original condition, and 
 the whole being concealed beneath a flesh-colored tricot, 
 appeared to form part of his body. On either side, above 
 the hips, two ribbon rosettes hid the apertures by which 
 the sword-point would go in and out, these openings being 
 connected by a leathern scabbard which led the weapon 
 securely from one end to the other, while, in order to pro- 
 duce the blood, a sponge filled with a red liquid was placed 
 in the middle of the sheath. The knives in the nostrils 
 were a reality. The invulnerable was very pug-nosed, 
 which allowed him to draw the cartilage of the nose up 
 prior to the introduction of the knives. 
 
 I possessed the necessary physical qualifications for the 
 sabre trick, but none for that of the knives. I did not 
 attempt the first, much less the second. 
 
 By the way, I may remark that, when a lad, I used to 
 perform two miracles, which might be useful to the Aissa- 
 oua, if they were ever told of them. I will explain them 
 here.
 
 THE NAIL IN THE EYE. 429 
 
 The corn-curer who taught me to juggle, also showed 
 me a very curious trick, consisting in thrusting a small 
 nail into the right eye, which is then made to pass into 
 the left eye, thence into the mouth, and end by returning 
 into the right eye. 
 
 It may be imagined how I burned with the fire of necro- 
 mancy, since I had the courage to practise this trick, 
 which I found charming. A very disagreeable circum- 
 stance, however, deprived me of my faith in the effect pro- 
 duced by it. 
 
 I sometimes spent the evening at a lady's house who 
 had two daughters. I thought I could not select a better 
 place for my first performance, and asked leave to do the 
 trick. Of course this permission was granted, and a cir- 
 cle was formed round me. 
 
 "Ladies," I said, with a certain degree of emphasis, 
 " I am invulnerable. To furnish you with a proof, I could 
 easily stab myself with a dagger, a knife, or any other 
 sharp instrument ; but I fear lest the sight of blood might 
 produce too agitating an effect on you. Hence, I will 
 offer you another proof of my supernatural powers." And 
 I performed my famous trick of "the nail in the eye." 
 
 The effect of this scene was most unexpected, for the 
 performance was scarce over ere one of the young ladies 
 was taken ill and fainted. The evening's amusement was 
 disturbed, as may be supposed, and fearing some recrimi- 
 nations, I bolted without saying a word, declaring that I 
 would never be caught again at such tricks. 
 
 This, however, is the explanation of the trick : 
 
 A small lead or silver pin may be introduced, without 
 the slightest feeling of pain, in the corner of the eye, near 
 the lacrymal duct, between the lower eyelid and the pupil ; 
 and, strangely enough, this piece of metal once introduced,
 
 430 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOTJDIN. 
 
 you do not in the least notice its presence. To bring it 
 out again, you need only press it with the finger. 
 
 If desirous to perform the trick I have alluded to, you 
 proceed in the following way : 
 
 After secretly placing one of these small nails in the 
 left eye, and another in the mouth, you commence as fol- 
 low*: 
 
 You openly thrust a nail into your right eye, then, 
 pressing the skin with the end of the finger, you pretend 
 to pass it through the nose into the left eye, whence you 
 withdraw the one put in beforehand. This you return 
 again to the eye, and the nail appears to pass into the 
 mouth, whence you produce the one already hidden there, 
 and thence into the right eye, whence you withdraw the 
 one originally inserted. 
 
 When this is done, you go on one side and remove the 
 nail still remaining in the left eye. 
 
 But, to return to the last trick of the A'issaoua, which 
 consists in walking over hot iron, and passing the tongue 
 over incandescent plates of the same metal. 
 
 The Aissaoua who walks over hot iron does nothing ex- 
 traordinary, if we consider the conditions under which the 
 trick is performed. 
 
 He quickly glides his heel along the iron; but the 
 lower-class Arabs, who all walk with naked feet, have the 
 lower part of the foot as hard as a horse's hoof, hence, 
 this horny part burns without occasioning the slightest 
 pain. 
 
 And, besides, may not chance have taught the Aissaoua 
 certain precautions known to more than one European 
 juggler, before Dr. Sementrici proved their use and ex- 
 plained them to the public ? 
 
 Let us quote some performances of our own mounte-
 
 RED-HOT IRON. 431 
 
 banks, and we shall find that the followers of the Aissa as 
 miracle-mongers are a long way behindhand in their pre- 
 tended marvels. 
 
 In February, 1677, an Englishman, of the name of 
 Richardson, came to Paris, and gave some very curious 
 performances, which proved, according to his statement, 
 his incombustibility. 
 
 He was seen to roast a piece of meat on his tongue, 
 light a piece of charcoal in his mouth by means of a pair 
 of bellows, seize a bar of red-hot iron in his hand, or hold 
 it between his teeth. 
 
 This Englishman's servant published his master's secret, 
 which may be found in the Journal des Sciences.* 
 
 In 1809, a Spaniard, of the name of Leonetto, gave 
 performances at Paris. He also handled a bar of red-hot 
 iron with impunity, passed it through his hair, or stepped 
 upon it ; drank boiling oil, plunged his fingers into melted 
 lead, put some on his tongue, and ended his performance 
 by licking a piece of red-hot iron. 
 
 This extraordinary man attracted the attention of Pro- 
 fessor Sementrici, who began carefully watching him. 
 
 The professor remarked that the tongue of the incom- 
 bustible was covered with a grey layer, and this discovery 
 led him to try some experiments on himself. He dis- 
 covered that rubbing in a solution of alum, evaporated to 
 a spongy state, rendered the skin insensible to the action 
 of red-hot iron. He also rubbed himself with soap, and 
 found that even the hair did not burn when in that state. 
 
 Satisfied with these investigations, the physician rubbed 
 his tongue with soap and a solution of alum, and the red- 
 hot iron produced no sensation on him. 
 
 * 1677, first edition, page 41, and second edition, 1680, pp. 24, 147, 
 252.
 
 432 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 The tongue, when thus prepared, could also receive 
 boiling oil, which grew cold, and could then be swallowed. 
 
 M. Sementrici also detected that the melted lead Leo- 
 netto employed was only Arcet's metal, fusible at the 
 temperature of boiling water. (For further details consult 
 the historic notice of M. Julia de Fontenelle, in Roret's 
 Manuel des JSorciers, page 181.) 
 
 These explanations may appear sufficient to disprove the 
 pretended incombustibility of the Aissaoua ; still, I will 
 add a personal fact, whence the conclusion can be drawn 
 that a man need not be inspired by Allah or Aissa to play 
 with red-hot metals. 
 
 Reading one day the Comus, a scientific review, I found 
 a critique of a work called Study on Bodies in a Spheroidal 
 Shape, by M. Boutigny (d'Evreux). The editor of the 
 review, the Abbe* Moigno, quotes several of the most in- 
 teresting passages, among them being the following : 
 
 "We passed our fingers through jets of red-hot metal" 
 (M. Boutigny is speaking). " We plunged our hands into 
 moulds and crucibles filled with metal that had just run 
 from a Wilkinson, and of which the radiation was insup- 
 portable, even at a long distance. We carried on these 
 experiments for more than two hours, and Madame Cou- 
 let, who was present, allowed her daughter, a child of 
 from eight to ten years, to put her hand in a crucible of 
 red-hot metal, which caused not the slightest injury." 
 
 Knowing the character of the learned abbe", as well as 
 that of the celebrated naturalist and author of the work, 
 it was not possible to doubt : still, I must say, this fact 
 appeared to me so impossible, that my mind refused to 
 accept it, and I wished to see, that I might believe. 
 
 I decided on calling on M. Boutigny, and expressed to 
 him my wish to see so interesting an experiment, while
 
 NO DANGER, BUT SOME FEAR. 433 
 
 carefully ayoiding any expression of doubt on the subject. 
 
 This gentleman received me kindly, and proposed to 
 repeat the experiment before me, when I might have an 
 opportunity to wash my hands in molten metal. 
 
 The proposition was attractive, scientifically speaking ; 
 but, on the other hand, I had some fears, which the 
 reader will appreciate, I think. In the event of a mistaky 
 I should reduce my hands to charcoal, and I was bound 
 to take the greater care of them as they had been such 
 precious instruments to me. Hence I hesitated with my 
 reply. 
 
 " Do you not place confidence in me ?" M. Boutigny 
 asked. 
 
 "Oh, certainly, sir, I have plenty of confidence, but " 
 
 "But you are afraid out witii it!" the doctor inter- 
 rupted me, with a laugh. "Well, to ease your mind, I 
 will try the temperature of the liquid before you place 
 your hands in it." 
 
 "And what is about the temperature of molten metal?" 
 
 " Close on one thousand six hundred degrees." 
 
 "One thousand six hundred degrees?" I exclaimed. 
 " Oh ! the experiment must be splendid : I consent." 
 
 On the day appointed by M. Boutigny, we proceeded to 
 Mr. Davidson's foundry at La Villette, after he had granted 
 us permission to make the experiment. 
 
 I was strangely affc-cted on entering this vast establish- 
 ment ; the deafening noise produced by the immense blasts, 
 the flames escaping from the furnaces, the sparkling jets 
 transported by powerful machines and running into gigan- 
 tic moulds, the wiry, muscular workmen, blackened by 
 smoke and dust, all this medley of men and things pro- 
 duced a strange and rather solemn effect upon me. 
 
 2C
 
 434 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOTJDIN. 
 
 The manager came up to us and pointed out the furnace 
 to which we were to proceed for our experiment. 
 
 While waiting for a jet of metal to run, we remained 
 for a few moments in silence near the furnace ; then we 
 commenced the following conversation, which was certainly 
 not of a nature to encourage me : 
 
 " I would only repeat this experiment, which I am not 
 fond of, for your sake," M. Boutigny said; "I confess 
 that, though I am morally sure of the result, I always feel 
 an emotion which I cannot dispel." 
 
 "If that be the case," I replied, "suppose we go? I 
 will believe your word." 
 
 " No, no ; I am bound to show you this curious pheno- 
 menon. But, by the way," the learned doctor added, 
 "let me see your hands." 
 
 He took them in his. 
 
 "Hang it," he went on, "they are very dry for our 
 experiment." 
 
 " You think so ?" 
 
 " Certainly." 
 
 " Then it is dangerous?" 
 
 "It might be so." 
 
 " In that case, we will go," I said, turning to the door. 
 
 " That would be a pity," my companion replied, holding 
 me back; "stay, dip your hands in this bucket of water, 
 dry them well, and they will be sufficiently damp." 
 
 I must mention that to insure the success of this mar- 
 vellous experiment no other condition is requisite than to 
 have the hands slightly damp. I regret I can offer no 
 explanations as to the principle of the phenomenon, for 
 this would require many a long chapter ; hence I will refer 
 my readers to M. Boutigny's work. It will be enough to 
 state that the metal, when in a state of fusion, is kept at
 
 MOLTEN IRON. 435 
 
 a distance from the skin by a repulsive force, which op- 
 poses an insurmountable barrier. 
 
 I had scarce finished wiping my hands when the fur- 
 nace was opened, and a jet of molten metal, about the thick- 
 ness of my arm, burst forth. Sparks flew in every direc- 
 tion, as if it were a firework performance. 
 
 "Wait a few minutes," M. Boutigny said, "till the 
 metal is cleansed, for it would be dangerous to try our ex- 
 periment at this moment." 
 
 Five minutes later the stream of liquid fire left off bub- 
 bling and emitting scoriae ; it became, indeed, so limpid 
 and brilliant, that it scorched our eyes at a few yards off. 
 
 All at once my companion walked up to the furnace, 
 and calmly began washing his hands in the metal as if it 
 had been lukewarm water. 
 
 I make no pretence to bravery ; I confess at this mo- 
 ment my heart beat as if it would burst, and yet, when M. 
 Boutigny ended his strange ablutions, I walked forward 
 in my turn with a determination that proved a certain 
 strength of will. I imitated my professor's movements, I 
 literally dabbled in the burning liquid, and, in my joy, in- 
 spired by this marvellous operation, I took a handful of 
 the metal and threw it in the air, and it fell back in a 
 fire-shower on the ground. 
 
 The impression I felt in touching this molten iron can 
 only be compared to what I should have experienced in 
 handling liquid velvet, if I may express myself so. 
 
 I now ask what are the red-hot bars of the A'issaoua, in 
 comparison to the enormous temperature to which my 
 hands had been exposed ? 
 
 The old and new miracles of the incombustibles are, 
 therefore, explained by the experiments of a skillful na- 
 turalist, wjio, while making no pretence to trickery, only
 
 436 MEMOIRS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN. 
 
 appreciates such phenomena in their relation to the im- 
 mutable laws by virtue of which they are accomplished.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 A. 
 
 Academician's, predictions, 370. 
 
 Accident at the Ode'on, 315. 
 
 Accomplice, a kind, 135. 
 
 Acrobatic canaries, 39. 
 
 Africa, life in, 373. 
 
 Ai'ssaoua, miracles of the sect of, 
 
 396. 
 
 Alarum, a novel, 87. 
 Alarum-light, the, 195. 
 Albertus Magnus and his brazen 
 
 man, 157. 
 
 Alboni, Madame, 337. 
 Algeria, journey to, 372 ; reception 
 
 in, 373. 
 Ali-Ben-el-IIadji Moussa, "the 
 
 slave of God," 393. 
 Ambassador, Houdin as, 872. 
 Amputation extraordinary, 390. 
 Anderson, " Professor," his fla- 
 grant puffery, 326. 
 Angers, journey to, 68; arrival at, 
 
 61 ; Fair at, 61. 
 Anthon, Mr., buys Automaton 
 
 Chess-player, 171. 
 Antonia, story of, 114; at Constan- 
 tinople, 125; death of, 130. 
 Antonio, the nurse, 56 ; his confes- 
 sion, 73; in Paris, 180; his wife, 
 184. 
 Arab address to Houdin, 391. 
 
 Arab chiefs convoked, 878. 
 
 Arcet's metal, 432. 
 
 Artificial man, the, 157. 
 
 Artist's home, the, 194. 
 
 Asp, automaton, 161. 
 
 Athlete, an Arabian, 383. 
 
 Aubusson, accident at, 87. 
 
 Audience, studying an, 142; a 
 sleepy, 243; an indignant, 267. 
 
 Auguste, the caterer, 203. 
 
 Auriol, Houdin's automaton clown, 
 179. 
 
 Author's overture, 13. 
 
 Automata: Brazen fly, 156; by 
 Vaucanson, 169. Houdin's the 
 pastry cook, 179; Auriol and 
 Dubereau, ibid; orange-tree, ib.; 
 time-dial, ib. 
 
 Automaton, Houdin's first, 86; 
 Harlequin flute-player, 158; tam- 
 bourine-player, 159; artificial 
 duck, 169; discovery of its trick, 
 160; chess-player, 162; history 
 of, 162. 
 
 Autumnal fetes at Algiers, 378. 
 Avalanche, the human, 351. 
 Aviary, a wonderful, 39. 
 
 B. 
 
 Bab-Azoun Theatre in Algiers, 375; 
 3acon, Roger, makes a brazen 
 head, 156.
 
 438 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Balls, juggling -with the, 49. 
 Baths of Germany, 368. 
 Belgium, Houdin's visit to, 201. 
 Belleville, retreat to, 198. 
 Benefactor, a public, 29. 
 Berlin, three months in, 369. 
 Bernard, Colonel; gives lessons to 
 
 Houdin, 191. 
 
 Berthoud on Clock-making, 43. 
 Black-silk cap, story of, 301. 
 Blois: birth-place of Houdin, 17; 
 
 Houdin retires to, 369, 
 Bores, how to get rid of, 264. 
 Bosco, the conjurer, 184. 
 Botany, lessons in, 37. 
 Bottle-trick at Manchester, 349. 
 Bou-Allem's house, 402. 
 Bought and sold, 31. 
 Bouquet a la Reine, 355. 
 Boutigny, with red hot metal, 482. 
 Box, the mysterious, 383. 
 Brazen automaton fly, 156. 
 Brazen head, Bacon and Bungey's, 
 
 156. 
 
 Breguet, the Cardinal's, 110, 
 Broken-English, Houdin's, 346. 
 Broken watch, the, 109. 
 Brother and sister, 116; before the 
 
 Sultan, 125. 
 
 Brunnow, the Baron, 341. 
 Brussels Theatre, engagement at, 
 
 276; journey to, 279; troubles 
 
 en route, 281 ; arrives at, 287 ; 
 
 success, 290; but no money, 291 ; 
 
 cheated on all sides, 292. 
 Buckingham Palace, Houdin at, 
 
 353 ; short commons at, 357. 
 Bungey, Thomas, makes a brazen 
 
 head, 156. 
 
 Bush-Aga, abode of a, 402. 
 Bust-making, extraordinary, 801. 
 
 C. 
 
 lagliostro at Rome, 105. 
 
 Cagliostro, the; Houdin's comic 
 journal, 254. 
 
 Cagliostro's casket, 309; his seal, 
 308. 
 
 Cambridge, Houdin at, 359. 
 
 Canard, a real, 160. 
 
 Canaries, the cage of, 38. 
 
 Candle-lighting, 227. 
 
 Caravan, a conjurer's, 56. 
 
 Card-rook, a, 211. 
 
 Cards, a duel with, 85. 
 
 Cardinal's watch, 106 ; broken, 109; 
 melted down, 111; restored whole, 
 112. 
 
 Carlosbach, Dr., the conjurer, 27. 
 
 Carpentier, Aristide le, the anti- 
 quarian, 271. 
 
 Carriage smashed, 286. 
 
 Castellan, Madame, 337. 
 
 Castelli, Signer, eats a man alive, 
 69. 
 
 Catherine II. plays with the auto- 
 maton chess-player, 169 ; at- 
 tempts to cheat, 170; wants to 
 buy the figure, 171. 
 
 Celestial Empire, the, 236. 
 
 Challenge to Houdin, 268. 
 
 Charivari, the, 252. 
 
 Charlatan bills, Anderson's, 329. 
 
 Charles V., iron fly presented to, 
 155. 
 
 Chausse'e d'Antin, scene in, 272. 
 
 Cheat, punishment of a, 83. 
 
 Cheating cards, diagrams of, 216. 
 
 Chess-player, history of the auto- 
 maton (see Kempelen), 162-172. 
 
 Chester Theatre, England, 289. 
 
 Chinese and their conjuring tricks, 
 225.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Choosing a Profession, 26. 
 
 Cleopatra's asp, 161. 
 
 Clipping the coin, 51. 
 
 Clock, the mysterious, 195. 
 
 Clockmaking, treatise on, 43. 
 
 Clowns, Houdin's automaton, 179. 
 
 Coffee, the conjurer's, 382. 
 
 Collation, a magical, 364. 
 
 Colchester, audience and the nuts, 
 865. 
 
 Coniponium, the, 172; repaired by 
 Houdin, 175. 
 
 Comte, the magician, 141; his 
 tricks, 143; his cafe", 144; per- 
 forms at the Tuilleries, 146; his 
 King of Hearts, 147; hat-trick, 
 148; his ventriloquism, 149; 
 visits Houdin, 150. 
 
 Comus, the conjurer, 83. 
 
 Conjuring bullets, 413. 
 
 Conscientious audience, 298. 
 
 Constantinople, conjuring at, 121. 
 
 Convocation of Arab chiefs, 378. 
 
 Cookery and clockwork, 194. 
 
 Cossack, the automaton, 227. 
 
 Course of miracles, a, 422. 
 
 Court Journal', 356. 
 
 Cousin Robert, 421. 
 
 Covent Garden Theatre, 335. 
 
 Critic, a severe, 204. 
 
 Cronier, the mechanician, 161. 
 
 Crystal Balls, the, 312. 
 
 Cura^-oa from the bottle, 360. 
 
 Curious discussion, 377. 
 
 Custom at Colchester, 365. 
 
 I). 
 
 Dantnn, junior, the caricaturist, 
 
 299; makes a bust, 801. 
 D'Avaray, Due, 37. 
 Dazzling picture, a, 343. 
 
 De Paris, the Count, 231. 
 Deception, a rival's, 99. 
 Delay at Algiers, 875. 
 Delirium, influence of, 53. 
 Dial, Houdin's magic, 179. 
 Diagrams of cheating cards, 216 
 
 and 218. 
 
 Diamond cut diamond, 150. 
 Diplomatist and conjurer, 341. 
 Director of the Belgian Customs, 
 
 283 ; tricks upon, 284. 
 Doctor, a strange, 55. 
 Domingo, the negro, 229. 
 Dormeuil, theatrical manager, 336. 
 Dorval, Madame, benefit of, 314. 
 Doubtful applause, 75. 
 Dreams, phantasmagoria of, 54. 
 Dubureau, Houdin's automaton 
 
 clown, 179. 
 
 Duhart, chief of the claquers, 318. 
 Dumas' Monte Christo, 336. 
 
 E. 
 
 Electric shock, 386. 
 
 Electric touch, an, 264, 
 
 Electric clocks, future of, 421. 
 
 Electricity applied to mechanism 
 by Houdin, 370. 
 
 Emilc-lloudin, 256; performances 
 by, 258. 
 
 England invaded by French per- 
 formers, 334. 
 
 English theatrical costume, 332. 
 
 Escamoteur, the, 158. 
 
 Etherial suspension, 312. 
 
 Exhibition of 1844, 281; medal 
 voted to Houdin, 238. 
 
 Expedient, an, 331. 
 
 Experiments, curious, 256. 
 
 K v r and hand, practice of, 49.
 
 440 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 F. 
 
 Failure, an utter, 247. 
 
 Fair-Unknown, a, 258. 
 
 Family tickets, 143. 
 
 Fancy Fair, Sir A. Webster's, 337. 
 
 Fantasia by Arabs, 378. 
 
 Fantastic portfolio, 312. 
 
 Fantastic Soire'es, Houdin's, 244. 
 
 Farewell tour, Houdin's, 368. 
 
 Father Roujol, 152. 
 
 Faubourg St. Germain, 270. 
 
 Festival of Nankin, 228. 
 
 Filings, how to make, 42. 
 
 Financial crisis, a, 197. 
 
 First bill, Houdin's, 245. 
 
 First fruits of labor, 135. 
 
 First game played by Automaton 
 chess-player, 163; the Turk 
 beats the Doctor, 164. 
 
 First magician in France, 181. 
 
 First performance at Paris by Hou- 
 din, 246. 
 
 First public performance, Torrini's, 
 97. 
 
 Five-franc pieces, the magical, 408. 
 
 Flowers, the birth of, 145. 
 
 Flute-player, automaton, 159. 
 
 Forey, Eugene, his drawing of Hou- 
 din's theatre, 252. 
 
 Fortune, a reverse of, 192. 
 
 Fortunatus's hat, 229. 
 
 Four balls, juggling with, 49. 
 
 Free admissions, 320. 
 
 French towns, how lighted, 46. 
 
 Fricot, a dish of, 199. 
 
 Future experiments, Houdin's, 420. 
 
 G. 
 
 Galerie de Valois, 237. 
 Garde Fran9aise, 312. 
 Ge"net, an optimist manager, 360. 
 
 German-flute-player, automaton, 
 
 159. 
 Germany, Houdin's tour through, 
 
 368. 
 
 Giovanni Torrini, 127. 
 Glove, Victoria's, 355. 
 Gold-fish trick, 225. 
 Grand Turk, the, 122. 
 Gratuitous performance, 297. 
 Great personages, 339. 
 Great Wizard of the North, his 
 
 frightful puffery, 326. 
 Greek, a modern, 213. 
 Grindstone, a nose on the, 43. 
 Grisi, the Count Edmond de, 90. 
 Grisi, Madame, 337. 
 Gun-trick, a tragic, 129. 
 Gymnastic machinery, 211. 
 Gymnas, performance of, 319. 
 
 H. 
 
 Hamilton, successor to Houdin, 367: 
 becomes his brother-in-law, 368. 
 
 Happy moment, a, 203. 
 
 Harem, the Sultan's, 124. 
 
 Harlequin automata, 77 ; Phi- 
 lippe's, 228. 
 
 Hat, the spoiled, 134. 
 
 Hearts, the King of, 147. 
 
 Her Majesty's Theatre, 323. 
 
 Hertford, Houdin at, 360. 
 
 Hints for sharpers, 219. 
 
 Hippodrome of Paris, 244. 
 
 Hired applause, 319. 
 
 Historic Theatre of Paris, 336. 
 
 Home, return to, 136, 
 
 Homicide by imprudence, 130. 
 
 Houdin, Mademoiselle, 140; the 
 conjurer marries her, 141. 
 
 Houdin, M., the mechanical artist, 
 141.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 441 
 
 Houdin-Robert, birth and parent- 
 age, 17; adventures, passion. 
 Human avalanche, 351. 
 
 Idler, a country, 26. 
 Illustration, the, 252. 
 Incantation, the, 263. 
 Inexhaustible bottle, 312. 
 Ingot, the magic, 112. 
 Inkstand, to make a fortune by, 
 
 177. 
 
 Inquisition at Rome, 104. 
 Interior of Africa, Houdin in the, 
 
 398. 
 
 Inventor, calculations of an, 177. 
 Invulnerability, 385 ; secret of, 428. 
 Ireland, Houdin in, 366. 
 Iron automaton fly, 155. 
 Italian conjurer, 157. 
 Italy, conjuring in, 90-119. 
 
 J. 
 
 Jenny Lind, 323. 
 
 Judicious puffing, 325. 
 
 Jules de Rovere, the conjurer, 153. 
 
 K. 
 
 Kabyle rendered powerless, 384. 
 
 Kabylia, revolt in, 874. 
 
 Kitchen of Parafaragannus, 229. 
 
 Kempelen, M. de, Viennese me- 
 chanician, 162; visits Dr. Osloff 
 at Riga, 163; invents the auto- 
 maton chess-player, 163; travels 
 with it to Russia, 168; baffles 
 the Czarina, 171 ; visits England, 
 171. 
 
 Knowles, the manager, 345. 
 
 Koppen exhibits the Componium, 
 172. 
 
 Lablache, the singer, 337. 
 
 Ladies, pleasing the, 146. 
 
 Lamp, the stolen, 46. 
 
 Lariviere, the Abbe", head of Or- 
 leans College, 23. 
 
 Lawyer's office, Houdin in, 35. 
 
 Le Carpentier, Aristide, 271. 
 
 Leclerc invents the Melephone, 226. 
 
 Lemnos, 309. 
 
 Lenoir, the dancing master, 64. 
 
 Leonetto with red hot iron, 431. 
 
 Lesprit, the conjurer, 187. 
 
 Life, most important event of, 45. 
 
 Linnaeus, study of, 38. 
 
 Lottery, M. Philippe's, 223. 
 
 Louis Napoleon at Fulham, 339. 
 
 Louis Philippe at the Palace of In- 
 dustry, 231; and the automaton 
 writer, 238; at St. Cloud, 303. 
 
 Louis XVIII. and Comte, 146. 
 
 M. 
 
 Macalister, the magician, 225; in 
 Paris, 229. 
 
 Macon, the fair of, 148. 
 
 Maelzel owns the automaton chess- 
 player, and takes it to America, 
 172. 
 
 Magic ingot, 112. 
 
 Malice, a conjurer through, 101. 
 
 Manchester, a city of chimney- 
 sweeps, 352. 
 
 Manchester Theatre, Houdin at, 
 845. 
 
 Manipulation, practice makes skill 
 in, 49. 
 
 Marabout, shot by one, 387. 
 
 Marabout, mystification of one, 408. 
 
 Marquis deceived, 117. 
 
 Mario, the singer, 337.
 
 442 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Marseilles, Torrini at, 126 ; Houdin 
 at, 419. 
 
 Mechanical snuff-box, 35. 
 
 Mechanician's shop on wheels, 78. 
 
 Melephone, the, 226. 
 
 Miette, the conjurer, 187. 
 
 Minor miseries, 295. 
 
 Miracles, a course of, 422. 
 
 Mitchell, London manager, 322; 
 Jenny Lind's box, 323. 
 
 Modest living, 199. 
 
 Molten metal, washing the hands 
 in, 433. 
 
 Monte Christo, at Covent Garden, 
 335; at St. James's Theatre, 336. 
 
 Moor, disappearance of a, 388. 
 
 Morrison's pills, 223. 
 
 Mountebanks in Paris, 311. 
 
 Mouse-power to raise water, 21. 
 
 Muhammad, the Arab guide, break- 
 fast with, 400; he deserts, 401. 
 
 Murderer's confession, 59. 
 
 Music-master, the, 182. 
 
 Musky compliments, 151. 
 
 Mystification, 151. 
 
 Mystification extraordinary, 117. 
 
 Mystifier mystified, 150. 
 
 N. 
 
 Nail in the eye, 429. 
 Nankin, festival of the Court of, 228. 
 Naples, the King of, 100. 
 Napoleon of Necromancy, 328. 
 Napoleon III. in England, 339. 
 Necromancy in Rome, 105. 
 Need, a friend in, 285. 
 Neptune's basins, 229. 
 Nevers, ventriloquism at, 148. 
 Neveu, Colonel de, 371 ; his work 
 
 on Algiers, 396. 
 New Joe Miller, a, 329. 
 
 New studies, Houdin's, 253. 
 Nightingale, mechanical, its song, 
 
 207. 
 
 Nomadic life, 78. 
 Noriet, watchmaker and sculptor, 
 
 50. 
 
 Novel lottery, a, 223. 
 Number sixty-nine, 268. 
 Nuremburg dolls, 200. 
 Nuts at Colchester, 365. 
 
 0. 
 
 Ode"on, performance at the, 314. 
 
 Olivier, the conjurer, 126. 
 
 Omelette accident, 133. 
 
 Omen, an, 231. 
 
 Open-air studies, 811. 
 
 Optimist manager, 360. 
 
 Orange-tree, Houdin's mysterious, 
 179. 
 
 Origin of flowers, 312. 
 
 Orleans, Houdin at College of, 20. 
 
 Orleans, Duchess of, 231 ; at St. 
 Cloud, 309. 
 
 Orleans family in London, 355. 
 
 Osloff, Dr., saves Worousky's life, 
 162; plays first game with auto- 
 maton chess-player, 163. 
 
 P. 
 
 Page, sawing asunder of one, 123. 
 
 Palais Royal Theatre, 335. 
 
 Panic, Houdin's, 249; of an Arab 
 audience, 389. 
 
 Papin, Denis, inventor of steam en- 
 gine, 17. 
 
 Parafaragarmus, kitchen of, 229. 
 
 Paris, Robert-Houdin goes to, 141 ; 
 return to, from Brussels, 292;
 
 INDEX. 
 
 443 
 
 from England, 366 ; retires from, 
 
 868. 
 
 Park Theatre, Brussels, 287. 
 Pastry-cook, Houdin's automaton, 
 
 179. 
 
 Peacock, the magic, 228. 
 Perambulating house, 61. 
 Perrault's fairies, 157. * . 
 
 Philippe Talon, the conjurer, 221 ; 
 
 visits London, ib. ; at Aberdeen, 
 
 222; his lottery, 223; in Paris, 
 
 227. 
 
 Philter, a lady wants a, 262. 
 Piarot, Bosco's pigeon, 189. 
 Pigeon-trick, Bosco's, 187 ; his 
 
 work, 191. 
 
 Piller of the State, a, 223. 
 Pillory, spectators on the, 850. 
 Pinetti, Chevalier, 92 ; treachery of 
 
 94. 
 
 Pirlemont Hotel, Brussels, 286. 
 Pistol-trick in Africa, 412. 
 Piquet, a blind man's game at, 64; 
 
 the game of, 81 ; a duel at, 85. 
 Pius VII. and the conjurer, 107. 
 Pocket, tauter la coupe in the, 50. 
 Poison in the dish, 52. 
 Police, the Prefect of, 238. 
 Poor Piarot, 189. 
 Pope, conjuring before the, 107. 
 Porter, tyranny of, 288. 
 Porter's power, machine of, 88. 
 Fot-au-feu, 194. 
 
 Powdered glass, an appetiser, 426. 
 Prepared playing cards, 214. 
 Press, the English, 338. 
 Prestidigitateur, title first assumed 
 
 by Jules dc Rovbre, 154. 
 Prodigal son, 130. 
 Prophet, a fallible, 250. 
 Protector, a powerful, 818. 
 
 Punch's doings, 223. 
 Punch bowl, the magic, 882. 
 
 R. 
 
 Race for time, 265. 
 Ragout, the poisoned, 52. 
 Rat, the captured, 21. 
 Rat-trap, a novel, 23. 
 Randon, Marshal, 380. 
 Recollections of the soire'es, 254. 
 Red-hot metal, feats with, 432. 
 Reforms in conjuring, 235. 
 Rehearsal, Houdin's first, 241. 
 Repast, a wizard's, 357. 
 Retirement from Paris, 868. 
 Revenge, a conjurer's, 102. 
 Revolution of 1848, 320. 
 Reysolius, his artificial man, 157. 
 Richardson's incombustibility, 431. 
 Rings' trick, 225. 
 Ritter, Captain, 899. 
 Rival, a dangerous, 66. 
 Robert, the elder, father of Robert- 
 
 Houdin, hia skill, 17; death of, 
 
 208. 
 
 Roger, M., an honest lawyer, 87. 
 Roger, the singer, 837. 
 Romainville, music studies in the 
 
 wood of, 207. 
 Rose-colored tickets, 148. 
 Royal patronage, 344. 
 Royalty, insult to, 101. 
 Rrrrrrrrouit, the nightingale's, 207. 
 
 S. 
 
 Sabre-swallower, the French, 427. 
 Saint's head, a, 200. 
 Sand-bag and stirrup trick, 33. 
 Sauter de coupt, 84. 
 Scheme of revenge, 108. 
 School, Houdin at, 21. 
 Sciences, Royal Academy of, 158.
 
 444 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Scientific amusements, 44. 
 Scotland, Houdin in, 366. 
 Second-sight, invention of the, 
 
 255. 
 Seductions of a theatrical agent, 
 
 273. 
 Selim III., the Sultan, visits Tor- 
 
 rini, 122. 
 Sementrici's feats with hot metal, 
 
 431. 
 Seven thousand francs made by 
 
 filings, 208. 
 
 Sharpers, hints for, 219. 
 Skill, a duel of, 102. 
 Skillful manager, a, 143. 
 Sleight-of-hand, principle of, 48; 
 
 first practice in, 49. 
 Soirees Fantastiques de Robert- 
 
 Houdin in London, 324. 
 Sorcerer, how a man becomes one, 
 
 46. 
 
 Spectators in the pillory, 348. 
 St. Cloud, Houdin at Palace of, 303. 
 St. James's Theatre, London, 322; 
 
 Houdin at, 330; Dormeuil at, 
 
 335. 
 St. Thomas Aquinas breaks the 
 
 brazen man, 157. 
 Stirrup-trick, 33. 
 Storm at sea, 419. 
 Strange audience, 381. 
 Strange banners, 417. 
 Strasburg, tragedy at, 129. 
 Sugar-baker, the conjuring, 221. 
 Sultan, wives of the, 122. 
 
 T. 
 
 Taken by storm, 295. 
 Talisman, a, 387. 
 
 Talon, Philippe, the magician, 221. 
 Tambourine-player, an automaton, 
 159. 
 
 Tambourine, the singer, 337. 
 
 Tent-life in Algiers, 416. 
 
 Theatre, Houdin's, in the Palais 
 
 Royal, 237. 
 Theatricals, 139. 
 
 Theatrical agent, seductions of, 273. 
 Theatrical bed, a, 324. 
 Three people make an audience, 
 
 861. 
 
 Time, a race for, 265. 
 Tiou, the nightingale's, 207. 
 Too small a theatre, 295. 
 Tools, Houdin's early love of, 19. 
 Torrini, the conjurer, 57; relates 
 
 his history, 90 et seq. ; death of, 
 
 181. 
 Tours,, journey to, 53; ventriloquism 
 
 at, 148. 
 Toys, conjurer's distribution of, 
 
 254. 
 
 Trepeze tumbler, the, 312. 
 Trick, a fatal, 129. 
 Trick, Houdin's first, 47. 
 Tricks of the Ai'ssaoua, 423. 
 Tuilleries, Comte at the, 146. 
 Turks, performances to the, 121. 
 Twelve hundred francs spent on a 
 
 trick, 113. x 
 Two sous-piece, a lucky, 281. 
 
 U. 
 
 Universal Exhibition of 1855, medal 
 from, 370. 
 
 V. 
 
 Vatican, conjuring in the, 107. 
 
 Vaucanson, Jacques de, automaton 
 maker, 160; some account of, 
 1G1 ; asp of Cleopatra, 161. 
 
 Vaudeville, Houdin at the, 165. 
 
 Vermifuge balsam, 31.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 445 
 
 Ventriloquism by Comte, 148. 
 Verdigris, a ragout of, 52. 
 Virgilius, his brazen fly, 156. 
 Visitors in Africa, 407. 
 Victoria, Queen, 340; patronizes 
 
 Houdin, 344. 
 
 W. 
 
 Watchmaking, first lessons in, 41. 
 Watch, the Cardinal's, 106; broken, 
 
 109; melted down, 111; found 
 
 whole, in the Pope's pocket, 112. 
 Webster, Sir Arthur, his fete at 
 
 Fulham, 336; Houdin performs 
 
 at, 343. 
 
 Welcome rest, a, 867. 
 Whiskey, Houdin's glass of, 350. 
 White magic before the Pope, 108. 
 
 | William Tell and his son, 127. 
 
 Win, the way to, 217. 
 
 Wine, a torrent of, 851. 
 
 Wizard's repast, 857. 
 
 Wood-carver, the, 200. 
 
 Wood-cutting, 201. 
 
 Worousky, the rebel, his life saved 
 by Dr. Osloff, 102; a great chess- 
 player, 163; plays the automa- 
 ton, 165; at Toula, 166; plays 
 Catherine II., 169; visits Eng- 
 land, 171. 
 
 Writing and drawing automaton, 
 196; ita completion, 204. 
 
 Z. 
 
 Zilbermann, the gambler, 81.
 
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