A MAD EXHIBITION.
A terrible scene was witnessed in the Market Place at Leighton Buzzard, England. A travelling negro fire-eater was performing on a stand, licking red-hot iron, bending heated pokers with his naked foot, burning tow in his mouth, and the like. At last he filled his mouth with benzoline, saying that he would burn it as he allowed it to escape. He had no sooner applied a lighted match to his lips than the whole mouthful of spirit took fire, and before it was consumed the man was burnt in a frightful manner, the blasting' spirit running all over his face, neck, and chest, as he dashed from his stand, and raced about like a madman among the assembled crowd, tearing his clothing from him, and howling in most intense
agony. A portion of the spirit was swallowed, and the inside of his mouth was also terribly burnt. He was taken into a chemist’s shop, and oils were administered and applied, but afterwards in agonizing frenzy he escaped in a state almost of nudity from a lodging-house, and was captured by the police and taken to the workhouse infirmary, where he remains in a dreadful condition.
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Bibliographic details
Patea Mail, 30 September 1880, Page 3
Word Count
198A MAD EXHIBITION. Patea Mail, 30 September 1880, Page 3
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