THE AMUSEMENTS OF PARIS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1876, 27 February 1880, Page 3

THE AMUSEMENTS OF PARIS.

According to a writer in the " Daily News" M. Daudet'B new novel and the tricks of M. Hermann, the Viennese conjuror, are amusing the idle part of Paris. M. Hermann, unlike the "mediums" who perform tricks and call them miracles, does miracles and calls them tricks. M. Jules Olaretie is responsible for the accuracy of the following tale:—Hermann was engaged in the difficult task of amusing that monarch " who lives the life of a wounded rabbit in a hole," the Sultan. The scene was a boat moored in the Bosphorus. " Will you oblige me," said Hermann to the Grand Vizier, "by throwing your watch overboard ?" The Vizier looked doubtful, but the Sultan nodded, and the watch sank glittering through the sea. "Now," said Hermann, "will some one kindly give me a fishing rod?" A rod was brought, a line, and a hook, which the conjuror baited before the eyes of the Padishah, as a Pushtoo contemporary calls the Sultan. He soon bad a nibble, struck, and after an exciting interval had a fine fish in the landing net. H-rmann opened the fish, and took out the Vizier's watch, still keeping capital time. Repreesirg a strong inclination to refer to the ring of Polycrates, we go on to prove that Hermann can jcggle as well for the wily Muscovite as the gallant Turk. While amusing the leisure of the Autocrat of All the Russias he broke a large and magnificent mirror. The superstitious potentate winced, for to break a mirror is unlucky, and a curtain was thrown over the glass. Hermann went on with his tricks for a while, then suddenly exclaimed " I forgot the glaßß ; look at it." The curtain was removed, and there was the mirror, whole and unharmed!