From Sharpe's Magazine.

A CONTRAST IN BIOGRAPHY.

CAGLIOSTRO THE CHARLATAN-JOHN POUNDS THE COBBLER.

CAGLIOSTRO.

"Each lie lives out its day.

But truth abides for aye.'

peared in Paris, about the year 1784, and by his plausible knavery drew within his magic circle multitudes of men and women who professed themselves philosophers, after the fashion of philosophy in those days. It may, perhaps, be neither uninteresting nor uninstructive to trace out rapidly the course of this remarkable man, and to watch awhile the waxing and waning of his fortunes. Some lessons it will teach, which are so obvious that they need not be noted down here.

THE eighteenth century was ripe with impostures and delusions. Many were the adventurers and enthusiasts who by their pretensions drew after them multitudes of disciples, more endued with credulity than common sense. John Law, with his South Sea bubbles and Mississippi schemes, to entrap the worshipers of Mammon; Swedenborg, with his angelic visitants and spiritual About the year 1740, the hearth of Marco colloquies, so attractive to minds of a more Balsamo, a decayed man of law, in Messina, ideal cast; the Count de St. Germain, with was gladdened by the birth of a son, named his elixir of youth and philosopher's stone; Giuseppe, of whose early years little is Mesmer, with his marvelous magnetic influ- known, save that from the good wives of the ence; the Abbé de Paris, with his miracu- vicinity his troublesome doings won for him lous cures and self-crucifying disciples; the nickname of "Maledetto." At the age such were a few of the remarkable persons of fifteen, he was devoted by his parents to who gathered around them followers in all the ecclesiastical profession, and they concountries, and among all classes of people. signed him for his noviciate to the neighborBut chiefly in France did these wonder-work- ing monastery of Cartigione, where his serers congregate together. There did irrelig- vices were allotted chiefly to the convent ion and immorality most widely prevail, and apothecary, within whose laboratory he gainthere, consequently, did credulity and super-ed his first insight into the principles of chemstition find the readiest reception; for the human mind is so constituted that it cannot rest satisfied with an utter rejection of all supernatural belief; and thus it came to pass, that at the time when philosophers and men of letters refused to worship the Creator, they yielded a sentimental homage to the moon; and while denying the supremacy of Almighty God, they believed in Cagliostro's power over the spirits of the air. Nor is this to be marveled at, for in the moral as in the natural world, it is from the focus of corruption that some ignis fatuus springs forth, which by its deluding brilliancy perplexes and beguiles the unwary.

It was amid this whirl of deceivers and deceived, that the arch-quack Cagliostro ap

istry and medicine. It is probable that here also were sown the early seeds of his future destiny, for in those days alchemy still formed a very favorite part of conventual study. Not long, however, was his tarrying among the worthy monks of Cartigione, for so it happened that they having commanded him one day to read aloud a portion of the "Martyrology," as was their wont, during the hours of repast, Giuseppe, despising the accredited saints of the Roman church, using his wit somewhat unadvisedly, read aloud from the pages of his own vivid imagination a story which savored much of lightness and profanity. This gross impropriety caused his immediate expulsion from the convent, and for some while after he seems to have divided

A CONTRAST IN BIOGRAPHY.

[Nov.

his time between brawls and painting. But | ral powers, and Prince Potemkin is reckoned swindling was far more congenial to his taste among his believers and disciples. The day than the fine arts; and having defrauded a of detection, however, soon comes, and being certain Sicilian jeweler, named Maran, of his charged with the crimes of forgery and money by promising in recompense to obtain fraud, he flies for his life, accompanied by for him a hidden treasure, the adventure end- the Countess Seraphina; for so is the humble ed in Balsamo's detection and flight from his Lorenza designated in these halcyon days of native country. So, as his Biographer of their prosperity. the Inquisition expresses it, Palermo, and overran the whole earth." "he fled from heard of in Germany, where he travels The arch-quack is next truly this description seems scarcely hyper- merous suite, "followed," as the penman of And about in uncommon splendor, with a nubolical; for during the following few years the Inquisition writes, "by couriers, lacof his life, we hear of him in Arabia, where queys, domestic servants of all sorts, sumphe studied alchemy and chemistry, under a tuously dressed, which gave an air of reality Greek, named Althotas; in Egypt and Tur- to the high birth he vaunted. key, where he sold drugs and amulets; in furnished in the height of the mode; a magMalta, where he was favorably received by nificent table open to numerous guests; rich Apartments the Grand Master, Pinto, and attempted to dresses for himself and wife corresponded transmute copper into gold; in Spain and to this luxuriant way of life. the Netherlands; in Germany, whither he generosity also made a great noise. went on a philosophical pilgrimage to the he gratuitously doctored the poor, and even His feigned Count de St. Germain; and at the shrines of gave them alms." Often St. Iago di Compostella, and our Lady of Loretto, whither he professed to be guided by a spirit of devotion. peared at Rome, where he married a beautiFinally he reapful girl, named Lorenza Feliciani, who became afterward, not only the partner of his fortunes, but also of his impostures. It was at this period of his life, that, after having changed his name repeatedly, he assumed the title of Count Alessandro di Cagliostro, and gave himself out as a restorer of the Rosicrusian philosophy, professing to have the faculty of rendering himself invisible, as well as of evoking spirits and restoring youth to old age, by means of his elixir of life. With such marvelous pretensions, and an extraordinary share of effrontery, he soon acquired ascendency over the minds of the multitude, and his reputation shortly spread itself throughout Europe.

Our " 'sea-girt isle" than once by his presence; his first visit was favored more being under the simple name of Joseph Balsamo, as a house-painter, and dealer in drugs; the second time, under his assumed title of Count Cagliostro; when he contrived to reap from some wealthy dupes a rich harvest of gold and jewels; but, being betrayed and accused by an accomplice, named Scot, he was consigned to prison, from whence, with much difficulty, he obtained his liberation, and fled to the Conti

nent.

Here we lose sight of him for awhile, until he emerges out of obscurity in the year 1780, at St. Petersburgh, where the court is dazzled by his pretensions to supernatu

this time, was quickly engraved, and the Cagliostro's portrait, which was taken at copies being scattered throughout Europe, gravings, which still exists, presents to our were eagerly purchased. One of these enview a full and somewhat ignoble counthe soft, studied glance of his uplifted eyes, tenance, with a "forehead of brass," while rendered still more repelling the low expression of his features.

man, and yet, through his imposing arts, Such was Joseph Balsamo in his outer and his seeming benevolence, he deceived for a while the learned, the great, the noble of the earth. Even the excellent Lavater, perplexed by his professions and fair words, avows his opinion that "Cagliostro is a man such as few are; in whom, however," continues the good man, "I am not a believer. Oh that he were simple of heart, and what is not true, and promises what he does humble like a child! Cagliostro often tells not perform. operations as altogether deceptive, though Yet do I nowise hold his they are not what he calls them.'

brated physiognomist was of the mystic It must be remembered that this celeschool, and therefore more accessible to the claims of any spiritual pretender. Moreover, he was so true and earnest a person himself, that he would fain think the best of others; being, perhaps, of the opinion of a recent writer, who that " says ing on when Cagliostro's knavery should be life is too short to be suspicious." The time was hastenthoroughly unmasked. element of power had been added to his reMeanwhile, a new

sources, for he had been admitted into the fraternity of Freemasons, which procured him a ready welcome among the brethren wherever he went; and on this basis he reared the edifice of his Egyptian masonry, by whose mystic agency he promised not only to restore youth to the aged, but also to confer perfection on the guilty. Of this order, whose original founders were, he averred, Enoch and Elias, he declared himself the Grand Cophta or high-priest, and constituted Seraphina the high-priestess, as masons of both sexes were to be admitted into it. By the aid of a pupil, or "Colomb," (for so was named the child selected as their interpreter,) he pretended to unfold futurity to his dupes; and perhaps we need scarcely be surprised at the multitude of inquirers who beset his doors; for in every human breast there dwells a lingering desire to anticipate the designs of fate, and penetrate the darkness of futurity; therefore, on no other subject is it so easy to deceive the world as this.

genius, and whose eloquence convinces and captivates the hearer. We have beheld him going round a vast hall, from one afflicted being to another, dressing their wounds, softening their miseries, imparting hope to all; and in these acts of humanity he is aided by his countess, a modest and beautiful person, who is worthy of her admirable husband."

Let us hear a very different opinion expressed by a solid professor from Göttingen, Meiners by name:" My conviction is that Count Cagliostro from of old has been more of a cheat than an enthusiast, and also, that he continues a cheat to this day. As to his country, I have ascertained nothing. Some make him a Jew, some an Arab, who, having persuaded a certain Asiatic prince to send his son to travel in Europe, murdered the youth, and took possession of his treasures. He himself pretends to claim the Cherif of Mecca for his father. As the self-styled count speaks badly all the languages one hears from him, and has spent the greater part of his life under feigned names, it is probable that no sure trace of his origin may ever be discovered. On his first appearance in Strasbourg, he connected himself with the Freemasons, but only till he felt strong enough to stand on his own feet. He soon gained the favor of the prætor and cardinal, and, through these, the favor of the court, to such a degree that his adversaries cannot so much as think of overthrowing him. With the prætor and cardi

The most prosperous moment of Cagliostro's life was in 1783, at Strasbourg, where he reckoned among his victims Louis de Rohan, Prince and Bishop of Strasbourg, whose wealth and favor were lavishly bestowed on the adventurer. At this time he played the rôle of a lofty benefactor of the human race. The Prince de Rohan having desired to see him : If Monseigneur the Cardinal is sick, let him come, and I will cure him," was the reply; "if he is well, he has no need of me, I none of him." The cardinal was sub-nal he demeans himself as with persons who dued by such high-minded independence. He visited the quack, who affected to be captivated by his noble visitor, saying: "Your soul is worthy of mine; you deserve to be made a participator of all my secrets." From that moment, the prince, who was an earnest investigator of alchemy, became his willing slave, and placed his palace, his wealth, his credit at Cagliostro's disposal. On being informed one day that the Grand Cophta and his high-priestess were reveling so disgracefully in his palace that the "Tokay wine ran like water," his answer was, "Let it be so; I have authorized him even to commit abuses, if he think fit to do so." So strong are the bonds forged by an opportune flattery on a vain, speculative mind!

Other French gentlemen of credit (MM. de Ségur, de Vergennes, and de la Borde) write in the following terms concerning this impostor to the Prætor of Strasbourg: "We have seen the Count Alessandro di Cagliostro, whose countenance bespeaks

are under boundless obligations to him, and uses the cardinal's equipage as freely as if it were his own. He pretends to recognize atheists and blasphemers by the smell, and that the vapor from such throws him into epileptic fits; into which sacred disorder he, like a true juggler, has the art of falling when he pleases. He pretends to evoke spirits, and to bear rule over them. He takes nothing from his patients, and even lodges many of them at his house without recompense. With all this conspicuous disinterestedness, he lives in an expensive way, plays deep, and loses almost continually to ladies; so that he must require at least 29,000 livres a year. The darkness which Cagliostro has spread over the sources of his income and outlay, contributes even more than his cures and his munificence to the notion that he is a divine sort of man, who has watched Nature in her deepest operations, and, among other secrets, stolen that of gold-making from her. With a mixture

of sorrow and indignation over our age, I| have to record that not only the great, who from of old have been the easiest bewitched by such pretenders, but also with many of the learned, and even physicians and naturalists, he has received a cordial reception."

So speaks the sober German professor, more largely gifted with common sense and less endued with the organ of wonder than the superficial gentlemen already quoted.

We have yet one more witness to cite before our readers as to the real character of this Charlatan: one of a different stamp from any of those whose testimony we have already given. It is a French lady of the highest rank and talents,-a shrewd, sensible, and witty woman, cousin to the aforenamed dupe of Cagliostro's, the Cardinal de Rohan. But, before recording the Marquise de Créqui's opinion of Cagliostro, we must premise that it was a part of his plan never to make too long a stay at any place, but, as soon as the first flow of popularity was past, and distrust became awakened, he would try some new ground. Accordingly, after a while we no longer hear of him at Strasbourg, but find him at Bordeaux, where his magnificent hotel was crowded night and day to such an excess by applicants from far and near, that the municipal authorities granted him a military guard to keep order.

Marquise de Créqui, from whose memoirs we extract the following particulars :-" About this time there came to Paris Joseph Balsamo, who, after having called himself at different times Count Tischio, Count de Melissa, Commander of Belmonte, Chevalier Pellegrini, Count Fenice, was now definitely known as Count de Cagliostro. He was a man of clumsy figure, and his dress was in singularly bad taste. It was composed of blue taffetas slashed with a profusion of silver lace, and his hair was dressed after the strangest fashion, with long powdered plaits confined in pig-tails. He wore openwork stockings with gold clocks, and velvet shoes whose buckles were sparkling with jewels. As many diamonds were displayed about his person as he possibly could find room for. His costume was completed by a hat with waving white plumes, which he invariably drew over his brow whenever he wished to speak with peculiar emphasis and energy. During eight months of the year, all that was covered with a large pelisse of blue renard; and when I say all that, I use the word advisedly, for attached to this loose upper garment was a large fur hood with three long points depending from it, which he pulled over his hat in cold weather; and whenever our children saw him approach with this horned head-gear of renard-skin, they always strove who should get the most quickly out of his way.

66

The fair countess played her part by opening her salon to the affluent and noble, who were enchanted by her grace and loveliness; His features were regular, his skin freshnor were the ladies of this southern city colored, and his teeth white and perfect. I slow in purchasing the costly elixir, which will not attempt to describe his physiognowas supposed to have preserved the coun- my, because he had at least a dozen at his tess's charms in such unimpaired perfection; command. Never have I seen two eyes like for although, in fact, a young woman, she his! He had a quick perception of what was professed to have already attained a very graceful or in good taste either in the manadvanced age. This bewilderment did not, ners or external aspect of those with whom however, last long, and being deserted by he had to do. Indeed, he was gifted with the rich, and hooted by the populace, who extraordinary finesse in detecting any shade nicknamed him "the wandering Jew," and of vulgarity in the thoughts, habits, or conthreatened him with personal violence, Cag-versation of others, and with this delicate liostro and his wife escaped from Bordeaux, and bent their steps toward Paris. Here, as usual, he appeared in the complex character of magician and Grand Cophta, and the volatile Parisians, always eager in their pursuit of novelty, were enchanted to have among them a being who professed to be endued with such marvelous powers. Through the friendly zeal of his patron the Cardinal de Rohan, Cagliostro gained immediate access into the highest Parisian circles; and among the grandes dames to whom he bore a particular introduction, was one to whom we have already alluded, the

appreciation of what was refined, I could not but suspect that he disguised himself in this grotesque costume, merely to gain a more decided influence over the multitude by assuming an air of originality. The moral physiognomy of this charlatan was as changing as his physical one, and it was partly through this contemptible instability of profession that he contrived for a while to deceive such opposite classes of persons. With our philosophers and beaux-esprits he professed himself an infidel, and during his incantations, profanely parodied the most sacred rites of religion. On such occasions, he

would with the profoundest expressions of reverence evoke Satan to the presence of his guests, for the purpose of unfolding the dread secrets of futurity, and I lament to say that not only our giddy courtiers, but also some of our princes of the blood, countenanced these orgies by their presence.

"On the other hand, Cagliostro compounded with the scruples of Catholics, when he found that their religious convictions were not to be shaken; and so artful was his hypocrisy, that among his most ardent proselytes were to be found some of the convulsionnaire Jansenists, mystics of the cross, and illuminati. The most notable of these was a visionary Spaniard, named Don Luis de Lima-Vasconcellos, grand-prior of Lima, and brother to the Spanish ambassador, a man of ardent and enthusiastic mind, concerning whom Cagliostro has left a curious history as related by himself.

"To give you some idea of the enthusiasm which this man contrived to inspire, I will transcribe a letter of Prince Louis, Cardinal de Rohan, who recommended him to me in these terms:-'You have doubtless heard, madame and dear cousin, of the Count de Cagliostro; of the excellent qualities by which he is distinguished, of his admirable science and virtue, which have won for him the esteem and respect of all the most distinguished persons in Strasbourg, and my unbounded attachment and veneration. He is now in Paris, and I earnestly commend him to your good offices, feeling assured that through your kindness he will meet with a cordial reception in the most distinguished circles there. I pray you not to give heed to the calumnies uttered by his enemies against this admirable man. It is with a feeling of reverence that I have observed his unfailing tendency toward all that is great and good, and I feel assured that he will obyour confidence and esteem, so that you may become his true friend and protector. Adieu, madame and dear cousin. You know how respectful and tender is my attachment

tain

to you.

cousin, that I shall introduce or recommend him to any one, and as it is most probable he has perceived that I suspect him of charlatanism, it is not very likely that I shall often be favored with his company.'

Very soon after this period, began the perplexities of the cardinal concerning the issue of his negotiations with La Motte, the treacherous and worthless agent whom he had employed in the affair of the diamond necklace; an episode in history to which we can but briefly allude here. On this occasion, he consulted his oracle as to the event of this affair, and received for answer that his favor with royalty was secured, as well as his complete triumph over all political enemies. It need scarcely be told that Cagliostro's prediction proved utterly false; and in his patron's fall was likewise involved his ruin and disgrace. He was accused of being La Motte's accomplice, and after several months' imprisonment in the Bastille, and the loss of much ill-gotten wealth, he was permitted to leave the kingdom. Accordingly, he fled to England, where Lord George Gordon, from political motives, espoused his cause and wrote a pamphlet in his behalf against the French government. But the blaze of Cagliostro's deceptive fame was now burnt out. Being detected in some fraudulent attempt, he absconded to Turin,—was banished thence by an order of the King of Sardinia,-met a like fate at Trent, when he ventured again into the dominions of the Emperor of Germany,-and being thus driven from one country to another, his bold-facedness tempted him into the lion's den, and on a May-day of the year 1789 he entered Rome, whither his evil genius had beguiled him, for within the walls of the Eternal City that doom awaited him which had so long been his due. Toward the close of the same year he was detected forming an Egyptian lodge, was seized by the Inquisition, and safely lodged in the castle of St. Angelo.

Here is the wand of the magician broken. In vain does he plead that Egyptian masonry is a divine system accommodated to the spirit of the age, and the holy father's approMy cous-bation and patronage. In vain does he offer to become the pope's spy. No favor is shown him, and on learning that the fair Seraphina (prisoner in a neighboring cell) has begun to confess, he too opens his lips, and tells out a marvelous story, in which, doubtless, truth and falsehood are singularly blended together, all of which is noted down carefully by one of the brethren of the Inquisition. After a delay of eighteen months,

Louis, Bishop and Prince of Strasbourg.' 'My answer was as follows:in,-I have seen M. de Cagliostro, and have even received him several times at my house, in order that I might be the better able to form a correct opinion concerning him. All that I can say in favor of M. Cagliostro is, that he has much versatility of talent, and is a very clever man. God grant that you may never have cause to rue your confidence in him. You must not expect, my good