FAMOUS HOAX

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 908, 27 February 1930, Page 16

FAMOUS HOAX

THE DUKE OF MONTAGUE—“BOTTLE CONJURER” CREDULITY OF PUBLIC One of the most astonishing hoaxes on record was that played by the Duke of Montague in 1749, wbicb has come to be known as the Hoax of the Bottle Conjurer. The nobleman being in company with a number of friends, the conversation turned to the subject of public credulity, and the duke declared that if a person advertised that he would creep into a quart bottle he would get a large crowd to pay for the privilege of seeing him do the trick. Some of the company could not believe this, and a wager was the result, the duke, in order to prove his point, inserting the following advertisement in the newspapers: “At the New Theatre, in the Haymarket, on Monday next, the 16th inst., to be seen, a person who performs the several most surprising things following; namely, first, he takes a common walking cane from any of the spectators, and thereon plays the music of every instrument now in use, and likewise sings to surprising perfection. Secondly, he presents you with a common wine bottle, which any of the spectators may first examine. This bottle is placed on a table in the middle of the stage, and he (without any equivocation) goes into it in sight of all the spectators, and sings in it. During his stay in the bottle any person may handle it, and see plainly that it does not exceed a common tavern bottle. Revealer of Secrets “Those on the stage or in the boxes may come in masked habits (if agreeable to them), and the performer (if desired) will inform them who they

are. Stage, 7s 6d; boxes, ss; pit, 3s; gallery, 2s. To begin at half an hour after six o’clock. Tickets to be had at the theatre. The performance continues about two hours and ahalf. “N.B. —If any gentleman or lady, after the above performances (either singly or in company, in or out of mask) is desirous of seeing a representation of any deceased person, such as husband or wife, sister or brother, or any intimate friend of either sex (upon making a gratuity to the performer) shall be gratified by seeing and conversing with them for some minutes, as if alive. Likewise, if desired, he will tell you the most secret thoughts in your past life, and give you a full view of persons who have injured you, whether dead or alive. For those gentlemen and ladies who are desirous of seeing this last part, there is a private room provided. “These performances have been seen by most of the crowned heads of Asia, Africa, and Europe and never appeared public anywhere but once; but will wait on any at their houses, and perform as above for five pounds each time. There will he a proper guard to keep the house in due decorum.”

Astonishing as it may seem, this bait was swallowed whole, and the playhouse was crowded with dukes, duchesses, lords, ladies, and all ranks and degrees to witness the bottle conjurer perform his trick. The following account of what happened is taken from a newspaper of the period. “Last night, the much-expected drama of the Bottle Conjurer of the New Theatre, in the Haymarket, ended in the tragi-comical manner following: Curiosity had drawn together prodigious numbers. About seven, the theatre being lighted up, but without so much as a single fiddle to keep the audience in good humour, many grew impatient. Immediately followed a chorus of catcalls heightened by loud vociferations, and beatings with sticks, when a fellow came

from behind the curtain, and bowing, said that if the performer did not appear the money should be returned. Wag’s Amusing Offer “At the same time a wag, crying out from the pit, said that if the ladies and gentlemen would give double prices the conjurer would get into a pint bottle. Presently a young man in one of the boxes seized a lighted candle and threw it on the stage. This served as the charge for sounding to battle. “The greater part of the audience made the best of their way out of the theatre, some losing a cloak, others a hat, others a wig, and others hat. wig, and swords also. One party, however, stayed in the house in order to demolish the inside, when the mob breaking in, they tore up the benches, broke to pieces the scenes, pulled down the boxes, in short, dismantled the theatre entirely, carrying away the particulars above-mentioned into the street, where they made a, mighty bonfire, the curtain being hoisted on a pole by way of a flag. “A large party of Guards were sent for, and came in time to warm themselves round the fire. "We hear of no other disaster than a young nobleman’s chin being hurt, occasioned by his fall into the pit, with part of one of the boxes, which he had forced out with his foot. 'Tis thought the conjurer vanished with the bank. Many enemies to a late celebrated book concerning the ceasing of miracles are greatly disappointed by the conjurer’s non-appearance in the bottle, they imagining that his jumping into it would have been the most convincing proof possible that miracles are not yet ceased.” So ended the famous hoax of the man who was to get into a quart bottle. An advertisement inserted in the papers a few days later by some unknown person professed to give the reason why the promised miracle had not been performed. It was, he said, because after searching all the taverns no quart bottle could be found which was of full measure.