THE RIVAL SORCERERS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3039, 23 March 1881, Page 3

THE RIVAL SORCERERS.

A few days ago Professor Virchow undertook to apply the recognised system of anthropological measurings to the Esquimaux who are at present being exhibited in Berlin. The attempt of the eminent anthropologist met with an unexpected opposition. The wild Pagnu is regarded amongst her tribe as a sorceress of very extraordinary power, and when she saw the professor operating upon her companion, she concluded that he was a great German and Christain magician. When her own turn came, she loudly exclaimed that she would not submit to these incomprehensible mannpalations of " the sorcerer of the God of the white man," for she was sure that the Christian magician could have but one purpose, the despoiling her of her own supernatural powers. When Dr. Virchow and his assistants approached her, with their mystical pencil, note-books, and measures, she sprang over the tables and chairs, and rushed into a corner of the room, where she chanted out a necromatic formula, which she hoped would neutralise the magical powers of her European rivals. The professor and his assistants were visibly taken aback at this unexpected scene, and their temporary cliscornlltui'e made a very evident impression upon the rest of the Esquimaux. Madam Pagnu continued to chant forth excitedly without a pause, and became the centre of amazement and interest to all others who were present. It was curious to note the effect upon Abraham, who is a beptised Christain, but who plainly retained a great deal of respect for the faith of his pagan ancestors. He imagined that nothing less was being transacted than a conflict between the rival magicians of two different religions j and when he noticed that the German scientists wei-e arrested and fascinated by the wild look and words of the sorceress Pagnu, he murmured quietly. " Ah! then the God of my father is after all more powerful than the God of the Christians !"