pages: unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf, 343
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unmaskingrobert00houdgoog.pdf | 343 | THE UNMASKING OF ROBERT-HOUDIN Second, John Henry Anderson was not in London when Robert-Houdin arrived there in May, 1848. He was on the Continent, and a bill reproduced will show that he was in Germany in January, 1848, and did not open at the Strand Theatre until December 26th, 1848. Then it was Robert-Houdin who had just returned from the provinces, not Anderson. Anderson had been play- ing the capitals of Europe. Robert-Houdin had been in Manchester, England. Robert-Houdin again skilfully twists the truth to suit his own ends. He actually states that Anderson, return- ing from a tour of the provinces, used a new poster, a caricature of the famous painting, "Napoleon's Return from Elba": "In the foreground Anderson was seen affecting the attitude of the great man; above his head fluttered an enormous banner bearing the words "The Wonder of the World'; while, behind him and somewhat lost in the shade, the Emperor of Russia and several other monarchs stood in a respectful posture. As in the original picture, the fanatic admirers of the Wizard embraced his knees, while an immense crowd received him triumphantly. In the distance could be seen the equestrian statue of the Iron Duke, who, hat in hand, bowed before him, the Great Wizard; and lastly, the very dome of St. Paul's bent towards him most humbly. "At the bottom was the inscription, RETURN OF THE NAPOLEON OF NECROMANCY. "Regarded seriously, this picture would be found a puff in very bad taste; but as a caricature it is excessively [314] |