Signor Antonio Blitz was born June 21, 1810, in a little village of Moravia. At an early age he picked up, unknown to anyone, “a few adroit tricks from certain gypsies, who visited his native town.” He began to exhibit these feats for the amusement of himself and friends. He made his professional début at Hamburg when but thirteen years of age, and was known to the public as the “mysterious boy.” His first appearance in this country was at the Music Hall, Broadway, New York. He had many imitators. Not less than thirteen people traveled the United States using his name, circulating a verbatim copy of his handbill and advertisement—“not only assuming to be the _original_ Blitz, but in many instances claiming to be a son or nephew.” “I have been,” says Blitz, in his memoirs, _Fifty Years in the Magic Circle_, (Hartford, Conn., 1871), “in constant receipt of bills of their contracting, for, not content with taking my name, they have not even honor enough to pay their debts.” The thirteen impostors exhibited under the following and other names: Signor Blitz. Signor Blitz, Jr. Signor Blitz, The Original. Signor Blitz’s Son. Signor Blitz’s Nephew. Signor Blitz, The Wonderful. Signor Blitz, The Great. Signor Blitz, The Unrivalled. Signor Blitz, The Mysterious. Signor Blitz, By Purchase. Signor Blitz, The Great Original. Blitz was not only a magician, but a ventriloquist and trainer of birds. He relates an amusing encounter with the great but eccentric genius, the Italian violinist, Paganini, whose romantic life is known to all lovers of music. The adventure took place in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, where Paganini was giving a concert. Says Blitz: “He, Paganini, was tall and awkward-looking, cadaverous in features, ungainly in form, with long {179} black hair, said to be very wealthy, and characterized as extremely penurious. No instance was ever known of his contributing a penny to the distressed, or to a benevolent institution. One morning I called and found him quietly seated in his room alone. After conversing with him a short time I noticed his violin case lying upon the table, when suddenly the cry of a child issued from therein. [Illustration: PLAY BILL. (From the Collection of Mr. Ellis Stanyon, London, England.)] {180} “ ‘Who is that?’ said Paganini, quickly looking around. “ ‘It is _me_, with the babe,’ answered a womanly voice. “ ‘My God! what is this?’ inquired the astonished violinist. “ ‘You well know,’ plaintively answered the woman, at the same time the infant again commenced crying. “ ‘We know you are a bad woman,’ vehemently declared the excited man. “ ‘And did you not make me so, you old Italian fiddler?’