Public Ledger

An Incredible Story About a Russian Conjurer.

About the beginning of the present century, a species of Cagliostro, or rather a superior kind of wizard of the north, made his appearance at St. Petersburg and astonished the natives by his marvelous performances. His name was Pirnetti, and his fame is yet in the memory of those who witnessed his unrivalled talents.

The Czar Alexander, having heard Pirnetti much spoken of, was desirous to see him; and one day it was announced to the conjurer that he would have the honor of giving a representation of his magical powers at court, the hour fixed for him to make his appearance being seven o'clock. A brilliant and numerous assembly of ladies and courtiers, presided over by the Czar, had met, but the conjurer was absent. Surprised and displeased, the Czar pulled out his watch, which indicated five minutes after seven. Pirnetti had not only failed in being in waiting, but he caused the court to wait, and Alexander was not more patient than Louis XIV. A quarter of an hour passed, half an hour and no Pirnetti! Messengers who had been sent in search of him returned unsuccessful. The anger of the Czar with difficulty restrained, displayed itself in threatening exclamations.

At length, after the lapse of an hour, the door of the saloon opened, and the gentleman of the Chamber announced Pirnetti, who presented himself with a calm front, and the serenity of one who had done nothing to reproach himself with. The Czar, however, was greatly displeased; but Pirnetti assumed an air of astonishment, and replied with the greatest coolness: "Did not your Majesty command my presence at seven o'clock precisely?" "Just so!" exclaimed the Czar, at the height of exasperation.

"Well, then," said Pirnetti, "let your Majesty deign to look at your watch, and you will perceive that I am exact, and that it is just seven o'clock."

The Czar, pulling out his watch violently, in order to confound what he considered a piece of downright insolence, was completely amazed. The watch marked seven o'clock! In turn all the courtiers drew out their watches which were found, as usual, exactly regulated by that of the sovereign. Seven o'clock! indicated with a common accord by all the watches, and clocks of the palace. The art of the magician was at once manifest in this strange retrogression in the march of time. To anger succeeded astonishment and admiration. Perceiving that the Czar smiled, Pirnetti thus addressed him: "Your Majesty will pardon me. It was by the performance of this trick that I was desirous of making my first appearance before you. But I know how precious the truth is at court; it is at least necessary that your watch should tell it to you, sire. If you consult it now, you will find that it marks the real time." The Czar drew forth his watch—it pointed to a few minutes past eight; the same deflection had taken place in the watches of all those present, and in the clocks of the palace. The exploit was followed by others equally amusing and surprising. At the close of the performances the Czar, after having complimented Pirnetti, brought back to his remembrance that in the course of the evening's amusements he had declared that such was the power of his art that he could penetrate everywhere. "Yes, sire, everywhere," replied the conjurer, with modest assurance.

"What!" exclaimed the Czar, "could you penetrate even into this palace were I to order all the doors to be closed and guarded?" "Into this palace, sire, or even into the apartment of your Majesty, quite as easily as I should enter my own house," said Pirnetti. "Well, then," said the Czar, "at midday to-morrow I shall have ready in my closet the price of this evening's amusements—1000 rubles. Come and get them; but I forewarn you that the doors shall be closed and carefully guarded." "To-morrow at midday I shall have the pleasure of presenting myself before your Majesty," said Pirnetti, who bowed and withdrew.

The gentlemen of the household followed the conjurer to make sure that he quitted the palace. They accompanied him to his lodgings, and a number of police surrounded the dwelling from the moment he entered it. The palace was instantly closed, with positive orders not to suffer, under any pretext whatever, any one to enter, were he prince or valet, until the Czar himself should command the doors to be opened. These orders were strictly enforced, confidential persons having watched their execution. The exterior openings to the palace were guarded by the soldiery. All the approaches to the imperial apartments were protected by high dignitaries, whom a simple professor of the art of legerdemain possessed no means of bribing. In short, for greater security all the keys had been carried into the imperial cabinet. A few moments previous to the hour affixed for Pirnetti's interview with the Czar the chamberlain on service brought to his Majesty a dispatch which a messenger had handed him through an opening in the door. It was a report from the minister of police that Pirnetti had not left home. "Aha! He has found out the undertaking is impracticable, and he has abandoned it," observed the Czar, with a smile.

Twelve o'clock sounded. While the last stroke yet reverberated the door which communicated from the bed-room of the Czar to the cabinet opened, and Pirnetti appeared. The Czar drew back a couple of paces, his brow darkened, and, after a momentary silence, he said: "Are you aware that you may become a very dangerous individual?" "Yes, sire," he replied; "but I am only an humble conjurer, with no ambition save that of amusing your Majesty."

"Here," said the Czar, "are the thousand rubles for last night, and a thousand for this day's visit."

Pirnetti, in offering his thanks, was interrupted by the Czar, who, with a thoughtful air, inquired of him, "Do you count on yet remaining some time in St. Petersburg?" "Sire," he replied, "I intend setting off this week, unless your Majesty orders a prolongation of my sojourn." "No!" hastily observed the Czar, "it is not my intention to detain you; and, moreover," continued he with a smile, "I should vainly endeavor to keep you against your will. You know how to leave St. Petersburg as easily as you have found your way into this palace." "I could do so, sire," said Pirnetti, "but far from wishing to quit this palace stealthily or mysteriously, I am desirous of quitting it in the most public manner possible, by giving to the inhabitants of your capital a striking example of my magical powers."

Pirnetti could not leave like an ordinary mortal; it was necessary that he should crown his success in the Russian capital by something surpassing his previous efforts: therefore, on the evening preceding the day fixed for his departure, he announced that he should leave St. Petersburg on the following day, at ten o'clock in the morning, and that he should quit by all the city gates at the same moment! Public curiosity was excited to the highest degree by this announcement; St. Petersburg at that time had fifteen gates, which were encompassed by a multitude eager to witness this marvellous departure. The spectators at these various gates all declared that at ten o'clock precisely Pirnetti, whom they all perfectly recognized, passed through. "He walked at a slow pace and with head erect, in order to be better seen," they said; "and he bade us adieu in a clear and audible voice." These unanimous testimonies were confirmed by the written declaration of the officers placed at every gate to inspect the passports of travelers. The inscription of Pirnetti's passports was inscribed in the fifteen registers. Where is the wizard, whether coming from the North or South, who could in these degenerate days perform so astonishing an exploit?