Memoirs of Robert-Houdin, ambassador, author and conjurerRobert-Houdin, Jean-Eugène
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Memoirs of Robert-Houdin, ambassador, author and conjurer
Robert-Houdin, Jean-Eugène
Magicians -- France -- Biography; Robert-Houdin, Jean-Eugène, 1805-1871
I know not what took place afterwards, or what became of me. When I
recovered the use of my senses, I found myself in prison, with two men
before me, a physician and a magistrate. The latter, sympathising with
me, was kind enough to perform his painful mission with all possible
regard for my feelings; but I could scarce understand the questions he
addressed to me; I knew not what to reply, and I contented myself with
shedding tears.
I was fully committed, and brought up at the next assises. I assure you
I took my place in the dock with indescribable delight, hoping I should
only leave it to receive the just punishment of the crime I had
committed. I was resigned to die; I even wished it, and I determined to
do all in my power to get rid of a life which was odious to me. Hence, I
offered no defence; but the court requested a barrister to undertake my
cause, and he defended me with great skill. I was found guilty of
“Homicide through imprudence,” and sentenced to six months’
imprisonment, which I passed in an infirmary. Here I saw Antonio again
for the first time, who brought me terrible news: my dear Antonia,
unable to endure such complicated misery, had died of a broken heart.
This new blow affected me so much that I was nearly dead. I spent the
greater period of my imprisonment in a state of weakness akin to death;
but at length my vigorous constitution overcame all these shocks, and I
regained my health. I had quite recovered when the doors of my prison
were opened.
Grief and remorse accompanied me wherever I went, and cast me in a state
of apathy from which nothing could arouse me. For three months I behaved
like a madman, running about the country, and only eating just enough to
keep me from perishing of hunger. I went forth at daybreak, and did not
return till night. I could not possibly have said what I did during
these lengthened excursions, but I probably walked about with no other
object than to change place.
Such an existence could not last long; poverty, and her mournful
handmaids, soon preyed upon me. My wife’s illness, my imprisonment, and
our expenses during these three months of listlessness, had swallowed
up, not only my money, but also all my apparatus. Antonio explained our
situation to me, and begged me to recommence my performances.
I could not leave this good brother, this excellent friend, in such a
critical position; I therefore acceded to his entreaties, on condition
that I should change my name to Torrini, and never perform in any
theatre. Antonio offered to arrange everything to my wish. By selling
the valuable presents I had received on various occasions, and which he
had managed to secrete from the officers, he paid my debts, and had the
carriage built in which we suffered this painful accident.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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