THE WIZARD AND HIS BOTTLE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 127, 11 June 1853, Page 9

THE WIZARD AND HIS BOTTLE.

The following article in relation to professor Anderson, the Wizard of the North, and the Maine liquor law, as enforced in Massachusetts, is furnished us (Charleston Reptiblican) by one of our citizens who has lately been sojourning in the east: — * As Professor Anderson was concluding his performances in the Melodeon, in Boston, which he did with the "bottle," the audience were somewhat alarmed by seeing a large body

of police rush into the hall, and without cere- I mony walk into the Professor's " Magic Temple." A warrant was produced not only for the immediate apprehension of the professor, but for his " bottle." The professor having read the warrant assured the audience that it was bond fide, and that he must obey the law. Here a scene which it is impossible to describe, ensued. Shouts of " Don't go, Anderson; we'll protect you!" "Nevermind the liquor law!" " Don't give up your bottle!" Mr. Anderson begged to be heard. When silence was gained, the professor stated, " that in all the countries he had visited, he obeyed their laws, and hoped the citizens would not wish him, for the first time in his life to disobey them." He further said, " that he was not aware he was breaking any law, when he supplied the citizens of Boston from his bottle."—(Cries of " No, no.") Mr. Anderson asked the officer if the "bottle" had to be taken to the police office? Yes, was the reply of the official. The professor handed him the " bottle," and no sooner was it in his hands, than the "bottle" commenced to emit streams of liquid fire. The " bottle" was soon released by the policeman. As soon as he dropped it, the fire became extinguished. Another officer lifted it up, when the fire again made its appearance ; of course he was also glad to drop it. The audience screamed, roared, and never was such a scene witnessed. At last the professor lifted the " bottle," and giving the audience thanks, and bidding them good night, he walked off with his *' bottle" to the police office, followed by two or three thousand persons, whose shouts soon augmented the crowd to many thousands, all calling out, "Shame on the liquor law F "Down with fanatics, and compulsory and coercive policy." " Eat and drink what you please ; when you please, and in what place you please I" "No legislation for the stomach."

The professor was bound over in 1000 dollars to appear and answer the charge of selling liquor without a license; the bottle was locked up as the principal witness against him; the whole of the officials having had a taste of its contents before it was locked up, and bound to appear as witnesses to prosecute, as they swore this was the " bottle" from which Mr. Anderson had supplied his audience with brandy, rum, gin, and whiskey, according to choice. The professor then left for his hotel, followed by an immense crowd. In the morning, every available inch of the police court was crowded long before the usual hour of opening. The magistrate arrived and took his seat on the bench.

Anderson's case was first called, when a long indictment was read, setting forth that " Professor Anderson," better known as the "Wizard of the North," had been in the habit of nightly supplying the citizens of Boston, during the last five weeks, with all kinds of spirituous liquors without a license, and against the laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, and was therefore liable, for the first offence, in the penalty of 10 dollars fine, and securities for 1000 dollars ; the second offence double the fine and forfeiture of bonds: the third offence, imprisonment in the penitentiary. Various witnesses were then called, who stated that they had been frequently supplied by the professor from his "bottle."*

One, a "native of the sod," declared that by " St. Patrick"he had never tasted better "potheen" in his life. Here the Magistrate asked, " if that was the bottle Professor Anderson was using when he was apprehended ? Yes. Did you drink from it? Yes. When? Last night before it was locked up in the marshal's safe. What did you drink? "Rum," said one; "brandy," said a second ; " I had gin," answered a third ; while a fourth said he was satisfied with that " bottle," for it had blistered his hands, which he showed the court was the case. And is this the identical bottle ? Yes. The magistrates here asked the marshal " if the bottle had been out of his possession since? The marshal said the safe had not been opened until the " bottle" was wanted in court. This was the evidence for the prosecution. Professor Anderson, who was undefended, here stated that he was not aware he had acted in opposition to the '' statute," inasmuch as he had presented a petition to the aldermen of the city for a license to give his performances in the Melodeon, which they granted on payment of 10 dollars per week for said license. Here the professor handed a receipt for the payment of the above; and he said further, the " bottle" is a part of this entertainment, duly licensed and paid for. If any clause had been inserted by

the aldermen at the time they granted the license, prohibiting the performance of the " bottle" feat, of course he would not have done it; but as he received the license without qualification, he considered the performance of the " bottle" as duly licensed with the other part of his entertainment. The magistrates, after a little consideration, decided that the professor was duly licensed, and could use his " bottle" as he thought proper. The magistrate asked if the " bottle " were still full ? " Oh, yes," replied the professor, " you can help yourself." No sooner did the magistrate touch the " bottle" than he dropped it again, stating that it was " red hot." The " Wizard" asked if his honor were satisfied ? He answered in the affirmative, and told the professor " that he did not cave how soon he left the court." The Wizard asked the magistrate to hand him the " bottle." The magistrate taking his handkerchief from his pocket for the purpose of taking the bottle by the neck, was about to lift it* when lo ! 'it vanished, to the utter astonishment of his honour j and all present.