The signature of this letter, "J. D. G. Gyngell," clears up considerable
uncertainty regarding the names of the two Gyngell sons. At times the
clever young tight-rope performer has been spoken of as Joseph, and at
others as Gellini. It is quite probable that the two names were really
part of one, and the full baptismal name was "Joseph D. Gellini." It was
as Gellini Gyngell that he met Henry Evanion at Deal, February 20th,
1862, when the latter was performing as a magician at the Deal and
Walmer Institute, while Gellini Gyngell gave an exhibition of fireworks
and a magic-lantern display on the South Esplanade. A fine notice of
both performances was published in the Deal _Telegram_ of February 23d,
when the hope was expressed that Gyngell's collection, taken among those
who enjoyed his outdoor performance, repaid him for his admirable
entertainment. Gyngell was landlord of the Bowling Green Tavern at this
time, and travelled as an entertainer only at intervals.
The next appearance of the trick is in a book published by M. Henry, a
ventriloquist, who played London and the provinces from 1820 to 1828.
During an engagement at the Adelphia Theatre, London, which according to
the programme was about 1822, Henry published a book entitled
"Conversazione; or, Mirth and Marvels," in which he interspersed witty
conversation with descriptions of his various tricks. On page 11 he
thus describes the automaton under consideration:
[Illustration: Reproduction of a rare old colored lithograph in three
sections. This section represents Gyngell. From the Harry Houdini
Collection.]
"Illusion Third. A curious mechanical trick; an inn, from which issues
the hostess for orders, upon receiving which, she returns into the inn
and brings out the various liquors as called for by the audience, and at
last waiting for the money, which, having received, goes in and shuts
the door. Mr. Henry says he has produced the inn in preference to
palaces, though more stupendous and magnificent, thinking, as a certain
author wrote, the heartiest welcome is to be found at the inn."
In the same year Henry issued a challenge open to the whole world,
defying any performer to equal his manipulation of the cup and ball
trick. He also employed as an adjunct of his conjuring performances
Signor de Fedori of Rome, an armless wonder, who used his feet to play
the drum, violin, and triangle.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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