A Conjurer's Confessions ...................................................................................................................................1

M. RobertHoudin ...................................................................................................................................1

Sleightofhand theories alone cannot explain the mysteries of "magic" as practiced by that eminent Frenchman who revolutionized the entire art, and who was finally

called upon to help his government out of a difficultyRobertHoudin. The success of his most famous performances hung not only on an incredible dexterity, but also on

high ingenuity and moral courage, as the following pages from his "Memoirs" will prove to the reader. The story begins when the young man of twenty was laboring

IN order to aid my progress and afford me relaxation, my master recommended me to study some treatises on

mechanics in general, and on clockmaking 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 revealing to me a vocation whose mysterious resources must open a vast

One evening I went into a bookseller's shop to buy Berthoud'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, but judge of my surprise when I read on the back of one of 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 contents, my surprise was doubled on reading these strange phrases:

The way of performing tricks with the cardsHow to guess a persons thoughtsTo cut off a pigeon's head,

The bookseller had made a mistake. In his haste, he had given me two volumes of the Encyclopædia 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 before me the secrets of an art for which I was

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 accrue to me in the apparent realization of the

The resemblance between two books, and the hurry of a bookseller, were the commonplace causes of the

It may be urged that different circumstances might have suggested this profession to me at a later date. It is

probable; 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 irresistible 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

sufferings, emotions, and shocks; but, on the other hand, what lively sensations, what profound delight would

I was eagerly devouring every line of the magic book which described the astounding tricks; my head was

The author gave a very plain explanation of his tricks; still, he committed the error of supposing his readers

possessed of the necessary 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 compelled to create the principles of the science I wished

to study. In the first place, I recognized the fundamental principle of sleightofhand, 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 extentfor, 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 certainty of perception and facility of touch, rendering

it easy for the artist to attend to several things simultaneously, while his hands were busy employed with

some complicated task. This faculty I wished to acquire and apply to sleightofhand; 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

It is well known that the trick with the balls wonderfully 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 corncutter resided at Blois, who possessed the double talent of juggling and

extracting corns with a 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.

I practiced 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 corncutting, 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 extraordinary; 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

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 marvelous. 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 sleightofhand, and I more especially devoted myself to the manipulation

This operation requires a great deal of practice; for, while the hand is held apparently open, balls, corks,

lumps of sugar, coins, etc., must be held unseen, the fingers remaining perfectly free and limber.

Owing to the little time at my disposal, the difficulties connected with these new experiments would have

been insurmountable had I not found a mode of practicing without neglecting my business. It was the fashion

in those days to wear coats with large pockets on the hips, called à la propriétaire, 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 dinner, I often ate my soup with

one hand while I was learning to sauter la coupe with the otherin short, the slightest moment of relaxation

A thousand more trials of patience and perseverance finally brought to the conjurer a Parisian theater and an appreciative clientele. But he never ceased to labor and

THE experiment, however, to which I owed my reputation was one inspired by that fantastic god to whom

Pascal attributes all the discoveries of this sublunary world: it was chance that led me straight to the invention

My two children were playing one day in the drawingroom at a game they had invented for their own

amusement. 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

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 hand in my hands, and, in my

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 juggling with four balls. Thinking seriously of this, I

fancied that this "perception by appreciation" might be susceptible of equal development, if I applied its

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 cinqquatre for

instance, and laid it before him. Instead of letting him count the points of the two numbers, I requested the

I stopped the first lesson here; the next day we succeeded 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 toyshop, or any other displaying a variety of wares, and cast an attentive

glance upon it. A few steps farther on we drew paper and pencil from our pockets, and tried which could

describe the greater number 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 possibility 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 toilet from 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 machinemade. I have known

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 presented 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 quantity of wheels and pinions,

as well as the necessary cogs, to produce certain revolutions required, without once failing 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(1) existed between my son and myself, by which I could

As none understood my mode of action, they were tempted to believe in something extraordinary, and,

indeed, my son Emile, then aged twelve, possessed all the essential qualities to produce this opinion, for his

pale, 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 center of my bill the following

"In this performance M. RobertHoudin's son, who is gifted with a marvelous second sight, after his eyes

have been covered with a thick bandage, will designate every object 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 themselves the dupes of accomplices, but I was much annoyed by the result, as I had built

on the surprise I should produce; still, having no reason to doubt its ultimate success, I was tempted to make a

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 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 merchants, and employed to count the number of threads. Acquiescing in his wish, I said to

"It is an instrument to judge the fineness of cloth, and called a thread counter."

"By Jove!" my spectator said, energetically, "it is marvelous. If I had paid ten francs to see it, I should not

Still, success is not entirely rosecolored, and I could easily narrate many disagreeable scenes produced by

the reputation I had of being a sorcerer; but I will only mention one, which forms a résumé 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 incognita would not consent to sit down till she was assured we were alone, and that I was the real

RobertHoudin. 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 explanation, at any hazard, when

Here she stopped, and let her eyes sink with a very embarrassed air; then, making a violent effort, she

"Speak, madam, I beg," I said, politely, "and I will try to guess what you cannot explain to me."

"In the first place," the young lady said, in a low voice, and looking round her, "I must tell you confidentially

At the last word the lady raised her head, overcame the timidity she felt, and said, in a firm and assured voice:

"Really, madam," I said, much surprised at this strange confession, "I do not see how I can help you in such

"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

"Calm yourself, madam," I remarked, in a tone of tender sympathy; "tell me what you would of me, and if it

"If it be in your power!" the young lady said, quickly; "why, nothing is more easy, sir."

"How, you know better than I, sir; must I teach you? You have in your power means to"

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:

"How, sir!" the young woman exclaimed, in a quick tone, "you will not allow you are"

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:

Stupefied by such an outbreak, I looked at her fixedly, and began to suspect the cause of her extraordinary

"There are two modes of acting," she said, with terrible volubility, "toward people who devote themselves to

magic artsentreaty and menaces. You would not yield to the first of these means, hence, I must employ the

And, lifting up her cloak, she laid her hand on the hilt of a dagger passed through her girdle. At the same time

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, my 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 determined on employing a method almost always successful with those deprived of reason. I pretended

Here there was a fresh interruption, and the young lady, calmed by my apparent submission, as well as

embarrassed by the request she had to make of me, became again timid and confused.

"Well, sir, I know not how to tell youhow to explain to youbut I fancy there are certain meanscertain

"I now understand what you wish, madam. It is a certain magic practice employed in the middle ages.

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,

"Madam," I said confidentially, "the spell I am going to perform renders it necessary for me to know the

With all the gravity of a real sorcerer, I solemnly thrust a pin through a lighted candle, and pronounced some

cabalistic words. After which, blowing out the candle, and turning to the poor Creature, I said:

"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

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 formerly, 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

I daily received visits from persons who were utter strangers to me; some were worth knowing, but the

majority, gaining an introduction under the most futile pretexts, 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 opened the door, and, as is customary, inquired the

visitor's name, while I, for my part, laid my ear to a tube, arranged 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

Sometimes it happened that I erred in my judgment, and regretted having granted an audience; but I had

another mode of shortening a bore's visit. I had placed behind the sofa on which I sat an electric spring,

communicating 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 occasion) 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 imagination and

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

To support my determination in making my researches, I had ever before me this maxim:

Nothing increases a professional man's merit so much as the possession of an independent fortune; this truth

may be coarse, but it is indubitable. Not only was I convinced 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 I worked my reputation as much as I could in spite of my numerous engagements, I found means

to give performances in all the principal theaters, though great difficulties frequently arose, as my

performance did not end till halfpast ten, and I could only fulfill my other engagements after that hour.

Eleven o'clock was generally the hour fixed for my appearance on a strange stage, and my readers may judge

of the speed required to proceed to the theater 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 toward the stairs,

I got out before my audience, and jumped into a vehicle that bore me off at full speed.

But this fatigue was as nothing compared to the emotion occasionally produced by an error in the time that

was to elapse 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 experiments, 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 performance, 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 preoccupation or a desire to end sooner, I found when my performance 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 elapsed 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 appears to have

on its lips the words of another monarch: "I was obliged to wait." However, we hurried up the steps leading

The stage manager, who had been watching, on hearing our hurried steps, cried from the landing:

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."

The door at the back of the stage was open, but I could not pass through it; fatigue and emotion nailed me to

"Go on to the stage, my boy," I said to my son, "and prepare all that is wanting for the secondsight trick."

The public allowed themselves to be disarmed by this youth, whose face inspired a sympathizing interest; and

my son, after gravely bowing 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 neighboring table a slate, some chalk a pack of cards, and a

This slight delay enabled me to recover my breath and calm my nerves, and I advanced in my turn with an

attempt to assume the stereotyped smile, in which I signally failed, as I was so agitated. The audience at first

remained 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

A spectator, who had evidently come on purpose to embarrass 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:

The importunate spectator doubtless hoped to force us into a confession of our impotence, for he covered his

number, and the adjacent seats being occupied, it was apparently 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

"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

"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,

"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

"Come, sir; we understand evasions of that sort. I repeat itI 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."

Noisy and hearty applause rose from every part of the theater, in which our opponent joined, for, confessing

his defeat, he exclaimed, as he clapped his hands, "It is astoundingmagnificent!"

The way I succeeded in finding out the number of the stall was this: I knew beforehand that in all theaters

where the stalls are divided down the center 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, twentyone, fortyone, and so on, increasing by twenty each. Guided by

this, I had no difficulty in discovering that my opponent was seated in number sixtynine, 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

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 myself and my son which no one could detect. Its combinations enabled us to describe any

conceivable object; but, though this was a splendid result, I saw that I should soon encounter unheardof

The experiment of second sight always formed the termination of my performance. Each evening I saw

unbelievers arrive with all sorts of articles to triumph over a secret which they could not unravel. Before

going to see RobertHoudin's son a council was held, in which an object that must embarrass the father was

chosen. Among these were halfeffaced antique medals, minerals, books printed in characters of every

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, pocketbooks, etc., with great ease, and unnoticed, 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 discovered 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 improved 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,

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 coatofarms 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 charactersthough unable to translate a wordof an infinity of languages, such as

Chinese, Russian, Turkish, Greek, Hebrew, etc. We knew, too, the names of all surgical instruments, so that a

surgical pocketbook, 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 resource for acquiring these studies, as one of my dearest and best friends, Aristide le Carpentier, a

learned antiquary, 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 learning 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 recognize old

coins when the die is worn off. Thus, a Trajan, a Tiberius, or a Marcus Aurelius became as familiar to me as a

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

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 spectators, such as châtelaines, pins, eyeglasses, fans,

brooches, rings, bouquets, etc. He thus could describe these objects with the greatest ease, when I pointed

One evening, at a house in the Chaussée 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 examination.

"To end the secondsight experiment, sir," I said to the master of the house, "I will prove to you that my son

I was naturally conducted to the library in question, which I pretended now to see for the first time, and I laid

"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 Crébillon'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 description, as they felt so amazed; but when the experiment

It is not generally known that RobertHoudin once rendered his country an important service as special envoy to Algeria. Half a century ago this colony was an endless

source of trouble to France. Although the rebel Arab chieftain AbddelKader had surrendered in 1847, an irregular warfare was kept up against the French authority by the

native Kabyles, stimulated by their Mohammedan priests, and particularly through socalled "miracles," such as recovery from wounds and burns selfinflicted by the

Thus in 1856 the hopes of the French Foreign Office rested on RobertHoudin. He was requested to exhibit his tricks in the most impressive form possible, with the

idea of proving to the deluded Arabs that they had been in error in ascribing supernatural power to their holy men.

IT was settled that I should reach Algiers by the next 27th of September, the day on which the great fêtes

I must say that I was much influenced in my determination by the knowledge that my mission to Algeria had

a quasipolitical 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

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 coreligionists by tricks as primitive as are the spectators before

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 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,

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 thirtysix hours' navigation, I greeted the capital of our colony with indescribable delight.

On the 28th of October, the day appointed for my first performance before the Arabs, I reached my post at an

Each goum,(2) 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

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 saw them fidgeting about for some time, and trying to tuck their legs under them, after the

The caïds, agas, bashagas, and other titled Arabs, held the places of honor, for they occupied the orchestra

In the midst of them were several privileged officers, and, lastly, the interpreters were mingled among the

I was also told that several curious people, having been unable to procure tickets, had assumed the Arab

burnous, and, binding the camel'shair cord round their foreheads, had slipped in among their new

This strange medley of spectators was indeed a most curious sight. The dress circle, more especially,

presented an appearance 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 decorations glistened, gravely awaited my

I have performed before many brilliant assemblies, but never before one which struck me so much as this.

However, 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

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 effect upon coarse minds and prejudices, for I was enacting the part of a

Compared with the simple tricks of their pretended sorcerers, my experiments must appear perfect miracles to

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, doubtless, 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

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

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 camegreeted by the same successthe bouquet of flowers, produced instantaneously from a hat; the

cornucopia, supplying a multitude of objects which I distributed, though unable to satisfy the repeated

demands made on all sides, and still more by those who had their hands full already; the fivefranc pieces,

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 liquorat least not publicly. Hence, I substituted the following with

I took a silver cup, like those called "punch bowls" in the Parisian cafés. 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 center of the pit, when, at my command, the bowl was magically filled with sweetmeats, which were

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 immediately 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

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 Shaitan'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

The vessel, rapidly emptied, was repeatedly filled again with equal rapidity; and it satisfied all demands, like

But it was not enough to amuse my spectators; I must also, in order to fulfill the object of my mission, startle

My arrangements had all been made for this purpose and I had reserved for the end of my performances three

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

I advanced, with my box in my hand, to the center of the "practicable," communicating from the stage to the

"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 marvelous authority, by showing that I can deprive the most powerful man of his

strength and restore it at my will. Anyone 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

"You are mistaken, for in an instant I will rob you of your strength, and you shall become as a little child."

Then, with all possible gravity, I made an imposing gesture, and solemnly pronounced the words:

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

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

But, wonder of wonders! this Hercules, a moment since so strong and proud, now bows his head; his arms,

riveted to the box, undergo a violent muscular contraction; his legs give way, and he falls on his knees with a

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!

I gave a second signal, and the electric current was immediately intercented. My athlete, disengaged from his

"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 experiment, 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

I allowed my public a few moments to recover from the emotion produced by my experiment and the flight of

One of the means employed by the Marabouts to gain influence in the eyes of the Arabs is by causing a belief

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 pronounced some cabalistic words, and the gun did not

The mystery was simple enough; the gun did not go off because the Marabout had skillfully stopped up the

Colonel de Neveu explained to me the importance of discrediting such a miracle by opposing to it a

I informed the Arabs that I possessed a talisman rendering me invulnerable, and I defied the best marksman

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 footlights, and then

An immense burst of laughter greeted both the Arab's picturesque ascent and his murderous intentions, while

"You wish to kill me!" I replied, imitating his accent and the inflection of his voice. "Well, I reply, that

The Arab breathed several times down the barrel, then through the nipple, to assure himself there was a

"As you are determined, and for more certainty, put in a double charge of powder, and a wad on the top."

"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,

"Now that you are quite sure your pistol is loaded, and that it will explode, tell me, do you feel no remorse,

Without replying, I put an apple on the point of a knife, and, standing a few yards from the Marabout, ordered

I could not say that this trick produced greater stupefaction than the ones preceding it: at any rate, my

spectators, palsied by surprise and terror, looked round in silence, seeming to think, "Where the deuce have

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 to me the pistol, he seized the

apple, thrust it into his waist belt, and could not be induced to return it, persuaded as he was that he possessed

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, doubtless, than his comrades of the

I drew him toward the table that was in center of the stage, and pointed out to him and to the other spectators

that it was slightly built and perfectly isolated. After which, without further preface, I told him to mount upon

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 footlights with out heavy burden, and upset it. The Moor had disappearedthe cone was

The Arabs were so affected by this last trick, that, impelled by an irresistible feeling of terror, they rose in all

parts of the house, and yielded to the influence of a general panic. To tell the truth, the crowd of fugitives was

densest at the door of the dress circle, and it cold be seen, from the agility and confusion of these high

Vainly did one of them, the Caïd of the BeniSalah, more courageous than his colleagues, try to restrain them

"Stay! stay! we cannot thus lose one of our coreligionists. Surely we must know what has become of him, or

But the coreligionists only ran away the faster, and soon the courageous caïd, led away by their example,

They little knew what awaited them at the door of the theater; but they had scarce gone down the steps when

The first movement of terror overcome, they surrounded the man, felt and crossquestioned him; but,

annoyed by these repeated questions, he had no better recourse than to escape at full speed.

The next evening the second performance took place, and produced nearly the same effect as the previous

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

The Arabs doubtless 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 precious testimony of their esteemI may say,

The severest trial of all was unexpectedly encountered during a visit paid by the conjurer and his wife to BouAllembenShenfa BashAga of the Djendel, a tribe of the

"This," our host said, "is the room reserved for guests 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

"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

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 marvels related by the chief of the tribe, who

took great pleasure in depicting his impressions and those of his coreligionists at the sight of the miracles I

Each lent an attentive ear to these stories, and regarded me with a species of veneration; the Marabout alone

displayed a degree of skepticism, and asserted that the spectators 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

specimen of my late performance. I had the pleasure of astounding my audience, but the Marabout continued

to offer me a systematic opposition, by which his neighbors were visibly annoyed; the poor fellow did not

I believe I have already mentioned a certain talent I possess of filching a watch, a pin, a pocketbook, etc.,

I 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

But to return to our Marabout. I had stolen his watch as I passed near him and slipped into its place a

To prevent his detecting it, and while waiting till I could profit by my larceny, I improvised a trick. After

juggling away BouAllem'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 fivefranc

pieces come out of the noses of the spectators. They took such pleasure in this trick that I fancied I should

never terminate it. "Douros! douros!"(3) they shouted, as they twitched their noses. I willingly acceded to

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

When calm was restored, my rival began speaking hurriedly to his neighbors, as if striving to dispel their

"Ah, indeed! Well, then, if you do not believe in my power, I will compel you to believe in my skill."

"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

My man opened his hand, and, finding nothing in it, shrugged his shoulders, as if to say, "You see, I told you

I was well aware the piece was not there, but it was important to draw the Marabout's attention momentarily

"That does not surprise me," I replied, "for I threw the piece with such strength that it went 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

The Marabout quickly put his hand in his waist belt, to assure himself of the truth, and was quite stupefied at

The spectators were astounded. Some among them 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

"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 theater"; 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

I confess I was for a moment staggered; I sought a subterfuge and found none. All eyes were fixed upon me,

BouAllem, being aware that my tricks were only the result of skill, was angry that his guest should be so

pestered; hence he began reproaching the Marabout. I stopped 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 require a talisman in order to be invulnerable, and,

"Still," I continued, "I can, by remaining six hours at prayers, do without the talisman, and defy your weapon.

Tomorrow morning, at eight o'clock, I will allow you to fire at me in the presence of these Arabs, who were

BouAllem, astonished at such a promise, asked me once again if this offer were serious, and if he should

invite the company for the appointed hour. On my affirmative, they agreed to meet before the stone bench in

I did not spend my night at prayers, as may be supposed, but I employed about two hours in insuring 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

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

We went through the same process with the second pistol and the solemn moment arrived.

Solemn, indeed, it seemed to everybodyto the spectators who were uncertain of the issue, to Madame

Houdin, who had in vain besought me to give up this trick, for she feared the resultand 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

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

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.

I pulled the trigger, and on the newly whitewashed wall appeared a large patch of blood, exactly at the spot

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

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 performance. I therefore retired, leaving the audience under

the impression I had produced. We took leave of BouAllem 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

As soon as I was alone in my room, I took out of my pistol casewithout which I never travela bullet

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 lampblack I had obtained by putting the

blade of a knife over the candle, and then ran this composition in the bullet mold.

Had I allowed the liquid to get quite cold, the ball would have been full and solid; but in about ten seconds I

turned the mold over, and the portions of the wax not yet set ran out, leaving a hollow ball in the mold. This

operation is the same as that used in making tapers, the thickness of the outside depending on the time the

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 occasion to fill my bullet.

Bullets thus prepared bear an extraordinary resemblance to lead, and are easily mistaken for that metal when

With this explanation, the trick will be easily understood. 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

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;

It is no wonder that after such exhibitions RobertHoudin's success was complete. The Arabs lost all confidence in Marabout "miracles," and thus a dangerous

(2) Brigade of native soldiers under French command. It was this influential native faction that the

Foreign Office wished particularly to impress, through RobertHoudin's skill.EDITOR. <===