notice not merely of the vulgar, but of the scientific. An Englishman, of the name of Richardson, seems to have attracted great notice in Paris about 1677 by his feats with fire, which obtained for him the title of the incombustible man and the fire-eater. He announced in his bills the following performances, which will bear to be compared with those of our Signora: "1st, He chews live coals, which may be seen burning in his mouth for a long time. "2d, He melts sulphur,-makes it burn in his hand,-and then puts it, while in flames, on the point of his tongue, when he finishes by swallowing it. 66 3d, He puts a burning coal on his tongue, on which he cooks a piece of raw flesh, or an oyster, and allows it to be blown with bellows for half a quarter of an hour. "4th, He holds a red hot bar of iron in his hands for a long time, without its leaving any mark. He places it on a smoothing iron, and then takes it in his mouth, and, with his teeth, throws it against the chimney, (near which the experiment was made,) with as much force as another person could throw a stone. "5th, Lastly, he swallows melted glass and pitch, sulphur and wax melted together, and in flames, so that the flame comes out of his mouth, and this mixture makes as much noise in his throat as if a hot iron were plunged in water." He also promised, when the weather became less severe, to walk barefoot on red hot iron plates, and to perform some other feats no less surprising. There can be no doubt that Mr Richardson seemed to do all that he promised, for, in the Journal de Sçavans for 1677, there is an attempt, and with considerable success, by M. Dodart, an academician, to explain every thing upon rational principles. Dr Peyer, of Schaffhausen, also probably alludes to the same individual in a letter to Dr Harder de Ignivomo circumforaneo, dated October 1677. "Last month I saw at Geneva an Englishman who handled and eat fire * J. J. Harderi et J. C. Peieri. Exercit. Anatomico-Med. Centuria. 8vo. Basiliae, 1688, in various forms. He put into his mouth burning coals, sometimes alone, sometimes sprinkled with sulphur, to make them burn brighter, and chewed and swallowed them. Also he applied very rapidly a hot iron to his tongue, without injuring it. Lastly, he swallowed cominon wax, pitch, sulphur, and sealing wax mixed, melted, and on fire, the smoke and flames issuing out of his mouth. So strange a phenomenon appeared to some a miracle and astonishing, and some even openly accused him of being assisted by the devil. Some ascribed the whole to a particular composition, capable of protecting the tongue and mouth against fire, but which nobody had seen or knew any thing about. The more cautious with myself, instructed by Hippocrates, thought that a great deal depended upon habit." About 1754 a Mr Powell seems to have had celebrity as a fire-eater in England. An anonymous correspondent of the Gentleman's Magazine, February 1755, gives us some account of him. fire-eater, did us the honour of a visit at "Last spring, Mr Powell, the famous this town; and, as he set forth in his printed bills that he had shewn away, not only before most of the crowned heads in Europe, but even before the Royal Society of London, and was dignified with a curious and very ample silver medal, that, he said, was bestowed on him by that learned body, as a testimony of their approbation, for eating what nobody else could eat, I was prevailed upon, at the importunity of some friends, to go and see a sight that so many thought below their notice; and I congreat kings and philosophers had not fess, though neither a superstitious nor an incurious man, I was not a little astonished at his wonderful performances in the fire-eating way." The last remarkable instance of an incombustible man occurred in a Spaniard, Senor Lionetto, who exhibited in Paris about 1803. He afterwards went to Naples, where he attracted the particular notice of Dr Sementini, Professor of Chemistry, who gave an account and explanation of his performances. "I approached as near to him as possible, that I might observe minutely whatever was most particular in his experiments-of which the following is an account: Signior Lionetto commenced the proof of his incombustibility by putting "It was announced that he had drunk half a glass of boiling oil; but, in fact, I found that he had never drunk such a dose, and that he had performed this twice by introducing a little into his mouth, not more than the third part of a spoonful, at a time. It was likewise said that he had washed his hands and face in boiling lead; but he now practised such an experiment only in rapidly bathing the extremities of his fingers in liquid lead, and also carrying a very small portion of it on his tongue. He afterwards passed a piece of redhot iron over his tongue, without showing the least painful sensation. His tongue, which I was able distinctly to observe in this often repeated experiment, was covered with a crust similar to what is seen on the tongues of persons in fevers; that is to say, it was covered with a kind of paste of a dirty gray colour. He exposed his foot again to the flame of burning oil, but kept it at a certain distance. In short, he threw sulphuric, nitric, and muriatic, acids on inflamed charcoal, and immediately exposed his face over the vapours which arose from those acids, keeping a small part of it in that situation." It therefore appears that there have been, at different times, itinerants who have displayed very singular feats with fire. Many explanations have also been offered. One of the most common is, that these persons are in possession of a secret preparation, with which they anoint themselves. Albertus Magnus, in the thirteenth century, in his work De Mirabilibus Mundi, gives the following account of it: "A wonderful experiment, which enables a man to go into the fire without being hurt, or carry fire, or red hot iron, in his hand, without injury. Take juice of marshmallow, and white of egg, and fleabane seeds, and lime; powder them, and mix juice of radish with the white of egg; mix all thoroughly, and with this composition anoint your body or hand, and allow it to dry, and afterwards anoint again, and after this you may boldly take up iron without hurt." This would form an antacid paste, which, however, would not serve for the purposes of deception, as it would be abundantly visible. M. Panthot, in the Journal des Sçavans for 1780, communicates to the Editor what he calls the secret of fireeating. "This secret was revealed by the servant of Richardson, who was the first to exhibit, about three years ago, this wonderful experiment, which many ascribed to his dexterity only. "It consists merely in rubbing with pure spirit of sulphur the hands and other parts to be exposed to the fire. This spirit does not act, as commonly believed, in checking the activity of the fire, but it renders the person on whom it is applied less susceptible of its action, because it burns and scorches the scarf-skin particularly, which it renders as hard as leather, so that, for the first or second time, the experiment is not so well borne as afterwards, because, the more it is tried, the more the skin becomes hard and callous, as happens to farriers and blacksmiths, whose skins become so hard, by frequently handling hot iron, that they are often seen to carry it quite red from one anvil to another, without being burnt. However, if, after several repetitions of the experiment with this spirit of sulphur, the person washes with warm water or wine, the scorched epidermis is removed along with what is hardened, and he has no longer the same power of handling fire, until the same application has again scorched and hardened the skin." "To this secret Richardson added some slight-of-hand, which could never be discovered, in respect to the live coals which he placed on his tongue, and on which he dressed a bit of meat, because he applied immediately next his tongue another very thin slice of veal, so that the coal, which was between two layers of meat, could not burn him at first, and was soon extinguished by the moisture with which his mouth gradually filled." "Richardson's servant also confessed that the remedy might be strengthened by mixing equal parts of spirit of sulphur, sal ammoniac, essence of rosemary, and onionjuice. With regard to the effect of the coals, wax, sulphur, and other substances which he swallowed so often, upon his stomach, it is certain that he would not long have had the trouble of making this experiment upon substances so injurious to the sto mach, if he had not possessed a facility of vomiting these calcined substances by the help of warm water and oil, which he took immediately after retiring from the company." In this place we may also quote one of the valuable secrets contained in Hocus Pocus, which has been one of the standard ornaments of book-stalls for half a century at least. We there learn, that, by using the following application, we may walk on a hot iron bar without any danger of burning or scalding: "Take half an ounce of camphire, dissolve it in two ounces of aqua vita; add to it one of quicksilver, one ounce of liquid storax, which is the droppings of myrrh, and hinders the camphire from firing; take also two ounces of hematitis, which is a red stone to be had at the druggists, and, when you buy it, let them beat it to powder in their great mortar, for, being very hard, it cannot well be beat in a small one; put this to the above-mentioned composition, and, when you intend to walk on the bar, anoint well your feet with it, and you may walk over without danger, or the least inconvenience." Dr Sementini, after reflecting upon the phenomena exhibited by Lionetto, proceeded to try various means which he conceived might benumb the skin, and cover it with a substance, which was a non-conductor of caloric; and he was induced, by the sharp sensation excited by the vapour disengaged when the heat was applied to Lionetto's incombustible skin, to try, in the first place, acids and the acidulous salts, and he found, that, by repeatedly rubbing one part of his body with dilute sulphurous acid, that his skin became gradually less sensible to the action of caloric, and that he was at last able to pass a plate of red hot iron over it without injury. He afterwards ascertained, that dilute sulphuric, nitric, or muriatic acid, produced the same effect, though less quickly or certainly; and, lastly, a saturated solution of burnt alum, repeatedly applied, was preferable to all other substances he had yet tried. By accident, however, he made a further discovery. "Wishing to examine if washing the almost incombustible part would make it lose the quality it had acquired, I rubbed it with hard soap, washed and dried it with a cloth, and applied the same plate of redhot iron. I then discovered, to my surprise, that the skin of that part not only preserved the same insensibility to the ac I made tion of red-hot iron, but had even become stronger than at first. I again rubbed the same part with soap without wiping it with the cloth, and passed over it the iron very red-hot, without feeling any painful sensation, or even having the hair burned. Remembering the crust which I observed mine with the same soap; in consequence on Lionetto's tongue, I determined to rub of which it became equally insensible to the action of fire. I began with pieces of iron slightly heated, raising them gradually till they were perfectly red-hot. a soft paste of soap. triturated in a mortar, and water saturated with burnt alum, and, spreading this composition on my tongue, the experiment succeeded completely. Still more simple I found the process of first bathing the tongue with sulphurous acid, and afterwards rubbing it often with a piece of soap. The experiment succeeded still better if, after bathing the tongue with this acid, I covered it with a thin stratum of sugar reduced to impalpable powder, and rubbed it afterwards with the soap in the same manner. The sugar in this case, like a mordant, made a greater quantity of soap attach to the tongue, and adhere more solidly." Professor Sementini then goes on to shew that he could repeat, upon his own body, almost all Lionetto's experiments, making allowances for the little tricks and deceptions with which they were accompanied. Whether the acute professor discovered Senor Lionetto's secret or not, I cannot presume to say, but I am almost certain that the Signora Girardelli does not make use of any such application, as there is not the slightest vestige of any thing upon her tongue or skin, and no fumes rise from her hair or skin on the application of heat; and I am still inclined to ascribe the whole, with Dr Peyer, to the natural powers of the body, increased by repetition and habit, and a great dexterity in making the experiments, so as to reduce the heat applied, or the quantity of the material employed, without its being observed. M. Dodart, more than a century ago, expressed the very same opinion. "What Mr Richardson does in public, is assuredly very surprising; but, when we reflect on the properties of the substances he employs, and the dexterity with which he uses them, I believe that it will be thought that he can have no other secret than some natural power, increased by habit." In confirmation of this rational view of the subject, M. Dodart adduces a number of facts, to which I shall add some discovered since. The natural power of the body to bear the transient application of heat, is much greater than is commonly supposed. Some undoubtedly possess it more than others, and in all it may be greatly increased by habit. Some persons eat their food scalding hot, and cooks think nothing of taking a piece of meat out of the boiling pot with the assistance of their hands. It is not unusual to put blazing brandy into the mouth in eating mince pies, or in the game of snap dragon. To hold the flame of a match or candle enclosed in the mouth is a common schoolboy feat, and most people have had occasion to lift up live coals which have accidentally fallen. The effect of habit in increasing the power, is every day exemplified in the impunity with which smiths carry heated iron in their hands, and glass-blowers handle and bend softened glass. M. Dodart tells of a smith in Poland, who went along the whole length of a red hot iron bar, leaping with both feet bare. Habit operates not only by blunting the sensibility, but also by rendering the cuticle thicker and more impervious to heat. I have never seen any of the common fire-caters, but I understand that they make a practice of putting live coals in their mouth, and blowing out the flames,—of holding a heated bar of ron between their teeth, &c. &c. In performing these experiments, they are said to practise a great deal of deception, and to be rather jugglers than real fire-caters. Perhaps they are a little of both. At any rate, so far as they actually resist the action of fire, they confirm the veracity of the Signora Girardelli. To try her, however, by her own acts, I shall now state every circumstance which bore the least appearance of deceit, together with such ascertained facts as are calculated to give a rational explanation of the phenomena exhibited. For the sake of perspicuity, her experiments may be classed, 1st, Into those with aqua fortis. 2d, Those with boiling oil, and melted wax. 3d, Those with melted metal. Her seventh, eighth, and ninth experiments were performed with aqua fortis. Of these the public are not in general good judges, for from its effects on some metals, they suppose it to possess a degree of active causticity in regard to the body, which is by no means the case. Chemists and some artisans know well, that they can touch aqua fortis with impunity, and can even take into the mouth a certain portion of it. Every thing depends upon its strength and the length of time of the application. The first effect of aqua fortis upon the skin, is to give it a yellow colour, and it will do this to a very great degree before it excites pain, or evinces any thing like a corrosive action. In the mouth aqua fortis diluted so as to be borne, excites a very sour taste, and sets the teeth on edge, and brings a great flow of saliva into the mouth, and in a stronger state discolours the tongue and lips, and wastes the teeth, before it excites pain. These chemical actions are not at all influenced by the sensibility of the person, or by habit, and will inevitably take place if the aqua fortis be applied of sufficient strength, and for a sufficient time, unless its action be prevented by the application of an alkaline, oily, or resinous matter. The strength of the aqua fortis used by the Signora was only known by its producing orange funes when applied to iron filings and to copper, but the teeth did not seem to have suffered from its frequent application, nor did it discolour her skin, or cause any increased spitting. From these last circumstances, I should think it very weak, and it would be rendered still weaker by its acting on the copper. I find, that aqua fortis, which has inore action upon copper than took place in her experiment, can be borne in the hand without discolouring it, and taken into the mouth without any further injury than setting the teeth very much on edge, and causing increased spitting. I believe, therefore, that the whole miracle of these chemical experiments depends upon want of knowledge in the spec tators. In the sixth experiment with the Florence oil, there was room for some deception. An ordinary Florence flask was produced containing oil certainly, but it is not so certain that it contained nothing but oil. It is necessary to recollect that the boiling point of oil is 600° Fahrenheit, and that oil does not boil without decomposition, that is, without being somewhat burnt or charred, and giving out fumes which have both smell and colour. But this was not the case in the Signora's experiment. The proofs given of the boiling of the oil were its bubbling up and coagulating the white of an egg. Now white of egg coagulates at 156° Fahrenheit, and if a small quantity of water were put into the same pan along with the oil, the appearance of ebullition would be produced at 212° Fahrenheit, or even less, from the absence of all evaporation from the surface. Be that as it may, the temperature of the oil was allowed to be considerably reduced by carrying it round to prove to the audience that it was boiling, and by dropping into it the cold egg. Still, however, it must have been very warm, and there is no doubt that she put some of it into her mouth, and held it till it had time to cool. In experiment twelfth there certainly was no actual deception. Impressions were taken with common sealing wax applied upon her tongue. It must, however, be remarked, that the quantity of wax used was not very great, and that wax will take an impression although not absolutely fluid. Nor must we be misled in estimating the effect of the wax in this instance by the pain excited by a drop of burning wax falling upon the hand; for the wetness of the tongue prevents the wax from adhering to one spot, and cools its surface of contact instantly; and in the experiment the wax was not dropt liquid upon the tongue, but rather torn by the seal from the end of the stick when merely soft. Mr Davenport made some very singular observations on boiling tar, which he communicated to Dr Thomson, and are inserted in the 9th Vol. of the Annals of Philosophy. While looking at the process of tarring ropes in the King's dock-yard at Chatham, he asked the men if they had ever seen any one dip his hand into the boiling tar? One of them immediately drew up his coat sleeve, and dip ped his hand and wrist in, bringing out fluid tar, and pouring it off from his hand as from a ladle. The tar remained in complete contact with his skin, and he wiped it off with tow. Being assured there was no dan VOL II ger in the experiment, Mr Davenport dipped in the entire length of his fore finger, and moved it about a short time before the heat became inconvenient. He ascertained by the thermometer that the heat was 220°, but that it rose very slowly to that height. It is by this slowness of conducting heat that Mr Davenport accounts for the absence of pain and injury to the skin, when a far less degree of heat in other liquids would produce serious scalds. He found, for example, that he could not bear the heat of water at 140°, so long as that of tar at 220o. To account for the slow communication of heat, he supposes that the drylooking and dry-feeling tar vapour, which is evolved very abundantly, rapidly carrying off the caloric in a la tent state, intervenes between the tar and the skin, and prevents the more rapid communication, and that when the hand is withdrawn, the rapidity with which this vapour is evolved, cools it immediately. The latter part of this explanation is very probable, the former I doubt. I am more inclined to think that the slow communica tion of the heat is owing to the viscidity of the fluid preventing any renewal of the surface in immediate contact with the skin; and as fluids are exceedingly bad conductors of heat, the surface in contact with the skin is instantly cooled by the hand, and very slowly heated again. The same explanation may be given of Richardson's experiments with melted sulphur, pitch, and wax. Dodart observed that he was able to hold his finger init for more than two seconds, although his skin was very sensible. Such substances have still less effect when applied to a wet surface, such as the tongue, with which, in fact, owing to the moisture, they never come into direct contact, but are immediately congealed and cooled on the surface. M. Thoisnard assured M. Dodart that he had seen a lady at Orleans drop flaming sealing wax on her tongue, without seeming to suffer from it. I have not ventured so far, but I have applied melted sealing wax to my tongue, and taken the impression of a small seal, without suffering more than a very transient sensation of heat. Experiment thirteenth was exceeding doubtful. The husband held the ladle of melted lead for her, so that 3 M |