CONSTANTINOPLE. 61 
discovered that the blades of the weapons were 
admitted by springs into their handles, like 
those used upon the stage in our theatres. 
There was one trick which he performed with 
extraordinary skill and address ; it was that of 
drawing a sabre across his naked body, after 
having caused the skin of the abdomen to lapse 
over the blade. 
As soon as this exhibition ended, we were 
told by our host that the Dervish should now 
bear testimony to a miracle on our part : and, 
as he had no conception of the manner in which 
it was brought about, it was probably never 
afterwards forgotten by him. A large electrical 
apparatus stood within an adjoining apartment; 
the conductors from which, passing into the 
room, as common bell-wires, had been con- 
tinued along the seat occupied by the Dervish^ 
reaching the whole length of the divan. As 
soon as he began to take breath, and to repose 
himself from the fatigue of his tricks, a shock 
from the electrical machine was communicated, 
that made him leap higher than ever he had 
done for the name of Mohammed. Seeing no 
person near, and every individual of the com- 
pany affecting tranquillity and unconcern, he 
was perfectly panic-struck. Ashamed, however, 
that an inspired priest, and one of the guardians 
