THE ROTTLE-CON JURER. 
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A number of gentlemen paid Mr. Green the mos/ polite attention on 
his descent. 
The Bottle-Conjurer. 
About the middle of January, 1749, a humorous incident happened, 
which greatly diverted the attention of the people, and was ascribed 
to a contrivance of the facetious Duke of Montagu, to ridicule the 
public credulity. The following advertisement appeared in the 
newspapers: 
“ At the New Theatre in the Haymarket, on Monday next, the l6th 
inst. to be seen, a person wdio performs the several most surprising 
feats, viz. — First, he takes a common walking-cane from any of 
the spectators, and thereon plays the music of every instrument now 
in use, and likewise sings to surprising perfection. — Secondly, he pre- 
sents you with a common wine-bottle, which any of the spectators 
may first examine: this bottle is placed on a table in the middle of 
the stage, and he (without any equivocation) goes into it in sight of 
all the spectators, and sings in it ; during his stay in the bottle, any 
person may handle it, and see plainly that it does not exceed a com- 
mon tavern bottle. Those on the stage, or in the boxes, may come 
in masked habits, if agreeable to them, and the performer (if desired) 
will inform them who they are. 
‘‘Stage, 7s. 6 — Pit. 3s. — -Gallery, 2s. 
“ To begin at half an hour after six o’clock.— Tickets to be had in 
the Theatre. 
“ *^^The performance continues about two hours and a half. 
“ N. B. If any gentlemen or' ladies, after the above performances, 
(either singly or in company, in or out of mask,) are desirous of seeing 
the representation of any deceased person, such as husband or wife, 
sister or brother, or any intimate friend of either sex, (upon making 
a gratuity to the performer,) they shall be gratified by seeing and con- 
versing with them for some minutes, as if alive. Likewise, if desired, 
he will tell you your most secret thoughts in your past life, and give 
you a full view of persons who have injured you, w'hether dead or 
alive. For those gentlemen or ladies who are desirous of seeing this 
last part, there is a private room provided. These performances have 
been seen by most of the crowned heads of Asia; Africa, and Europe, 
and never appeared public any where but once. He will wait on any 
persons at their houses, and perform as above, for five pounds each 
time.” 
In burlesque to this manifest imposition on the credulity of the 
public, the next day produced the following advertisement : — 
“ Lately arrived from Italy, Sig. Capitello Jampedo, a surprising 
dwarf, no taller than a common tobacco-pipe ; who can perform many 
wonderful equilibres on the slack or tight rope ; likewise, he’ll trans- 
form bis body into above ten thousand different shapes and postures; 
and after he has diverted the spectators two hours and a half, he will 
open his mouth wide, and jump down his own throat. He being the 
most wonderfullest wonder of wonders that ever the world wondered 
at, would be willing to join in performance with that surprising musi- 
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