FEAT OF DEXTERITY. 
167 
of her hands. She was an elderly woman, and by no 
means prepossessing in her person, which I conclude 
was the reason that the Rajah, though he applauded 
her dexterity, did not give her a proof of his liberality. 
We, however, threw her a few rupees, with which she 
appeared perfectly satisfied. 
The next performer spread upon the ground a cloth, 
about the size of a sheet : after a while, it seemed 
to be gradually raised ; upon taking it up, there ap- 
peared three pineapples growing under it, which 
were cut and presented to the spectators. This is 
considered a common juggle, and yet it is perfectly 
inexplicable. Many other extraordinary things were 
done which have entirely escaped my memory ; but 
the concluding feat was too remarkable to be easily 
forgotten. 
A tall, athletic fellow advanced, and making his 
salaam to the gallery, threw himself upon the ground. 
After performing several strange antics, he placed his 
head downwards with his heels in the air, raised his 
arms, and crossed the mover upon his breast, balancing 
himself all the while upon his head. A cup, contain- 
ing sixteen brass balls, was now put into his hands ; 
these he took and severally threw them into the air, 
keeping the whole sixteen in constant motion, crossing 
them, and causing them to describe all kinds of figures, 
and not allowing one of them to reach the ground. When 
he had thus shown his dexterity for a few minutes, a 
slight man approached, climbed up his body with sin- 
gular agility, and stood upright upon the inverted feet 
of the performer, who was still upon his head. A 
second cup, containing sixteen balls, was handed to 
