Magician Almost Lynched in France December 23, 2015
Author: Beach Combing | in : Modern , trackback
Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin is often said to be the father of modern conjuring. But like many pioneers his innovations brought him difficulties and even the threat of physical violence:
The great magician of the Palais National possesses at St. Gervais, in the vicinity of Blois, a pleasant domain where he spent the last summer. There, Robert Houdin gave himself up to his studies, to physical experiments, and the effects which he produced greatly astounded the country people. Although he was always affable and benevolent towards them, these honest people deemed that he held more intimate relations with the devil than with the good God. But, in spite of this, they did not refuse the little amusements that he procured for them; accordingly, some short time since, Robert Houdin gave to the inhabitants of St. Gervais a fete in celebration of the baptism of one of his children; his park was illuminated from one end to the other by streams of electric light. He subsequently produced magical effects so astonishing, that the peasants, while yielding admiration, experienced a certain degree of terror. It was in vain to explain to them that it was all natural; they saw in it only witchcraft. Such was their feeling when, finally, M. Houdin resolved to blast, by means of a mine, a rock which was in his park; one of the workmen was wounded at the moment when he set fire to the match. M. Houdin then announced that he had a less dangerous means of effecting the explosion; he simply employed an electric wire, and the peasants, who saw that he had no fire in his hands, went about stating that he had employed the aid of the devil.
The following is perhaps to have been expected. What follows next though is remarkable – if reported correctly. The reference to a powder in the air recalls the charges made against medieval Jewish communities and lepers.
Such was the condition of men’s minds at St Gervais when the appearance of several cases of cholera affected them with inquietude and terror: ‘It is the magician who draws on us this calamity! exclaimed many inhabitants of the place. This opinion, borne from mouth to mouth, was everywhere received; and whispered rumours, preludes of vengeance, were raised against the innocent philosopher. The mayor of St. Gervais, informed of what was taking place, strove to calm the most excited; but he was not listened to. The magician, said these poor people with most obstinate conviction, scatters in the air a powder which, being breathed by us, makes us ill. And when the Mayor objected that he was as liable as others to those malign influences, they answered that he did not get up early enough [!], and that all the powder was breathed by the time he made his appearance in the morning. The ferment increased to such a degree, that the Mayor judged it proper to have the philosopher’s door watched at night. But Robert Houdin, happily, had to return to Paris, and his departure cut short all hostile manifestations. Let us hope that the inhabitants of St. Gervais, by the time they shall next see Robert Houdin, will be cured of their terrors. 21 Nov 1851
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