DISCOMFITURE OF THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4852, 5 June 1877, Page 3

DISCOMFITURE OF THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

The excitement at the theatre on May 29 was "abnormal " for a place of entertainment. It was intense when it became apparent that hi 3 Worship the Mayor had "puzzled" these most skilful of knotty conjurors, aud it was almost indescribable when they made their exit from the stage evidently discomfited. There can be no better way of doing justice to the public and all parties concerned, than by stating precisely what took place, whatever may be the effect of the narration upon the reputation of individuals. When the curtain rose Professor i'ay made his usual prefatory address, aud then read the names of three " wellknown gentlemen," two of whom were to bo elected a committee to tie the Brothers Davenport, and to report the piogress of the rope-loosening and other curious phenomena to the audience. The three gentlemen named were his Wor ship, Mr. K Hesketh, and Mr. Swanson. The two first wout on the stage, but Air. Swanson suggested the name of Captain Braund, as especially skilled iu tying knots Tho suggestion was over-ruled, as coming too late, and the committee at once addressed themselves to their task oi tying up the bauds of each of the Brothers. It became almost immediately plain that the predicament of the "Brothers" was anything but coiuortable. The gentleman upon whom his Worship was operating was heard, protesting against the mode of tying, and almost at the same moment Mr. Hesketh's j " client" protested against the knotty points of enravclmeut which were being applied by this " well-known" solicitor. Presently the word "brutal" was heard from Mr. Uurat's "patient," who was most impatient, and Mr. Hurst appealed to the competent judgment of any medical mau who might be amongst the audience. Dr. Hooper, in obedience to loud calls from tho audience, went upon the stage and examined the inconipleted tying of the two pairs of hands. He pronounced that there was no such pressure as would impede the free circulation of the blood. He further said that he could place his finger easily between the cords and the skin, and that everything was perfectly fair. This announcement was received with cheers. The committee again proceeded to their task, but the temper of the " Brothers" was up. They insisted that they were the judges of whether they should be tied in a comfortable position, and they protested against beiug "disabled" or "injured." This assumption was utterly unjustifiable under the circumstances. The fact was that the Mayor and Corporation were the patrous of the evening's entertainment. The very nature of their entertain ment was a challenge to the whole audience to tie them effectually. They could hardly expect a " comfortable" position in any way of being tied, and to suggest that there was any wish or desire to disable them was simply absurd. The result may be told in a few words. Messrs. Hurst aud ilcsketh retired. Captain Braund and Mr. Swanson next went on the stage and offered to tie tho knots. The only objection there could be to them was perhaps their well-known skill. Captain Brauud honestly said that if he was to tie them they must allow themselves to be " tied properly." In a storm of excitement aud objurgation the brothers left the stage aud the house ; and no defeat they might have sustained could bo so little creditable to them as the manner of their disappearance. The position of everybody was now peculiar. Some of the audience demanded that their money should be returned. Mr. Davies suggested that it was rather hard that he should be a victim because one part of the entertainment had broken down. Mr. Fay challenged the

"knots" of Alessrs. liurst and Heaketb or Messrs. Braund and Swansou, with affirmative resolution. But the audience seemed incensed with the Brothers Davenport, who certainly displayed no coneiliatory but rather refractory spirit. The mystery was solved before it could be said to have been undone. Mr. Davies, with much tact and good humour, was successful in obtaiuiug order. Those who choso to go away were to have their money returned. His plea for justice to himself and Professor Fay was at once admitted, and it was not long before "Tommy and Joe" had the audience iu the best possible humour. Mr. b'ay repeated his dark nuance with better effect than usual from the very fact that his Worship the Mayor and Mr. Jlcskuth wore again the committee, for the audience pluci d perfect confidence in their judgment. Indeed, the audience were emphatic iu their appreciation of Mr. Davies's performance, aud on the motion of the Mayor they gave ;v vote of thanks to Professor Eay. The facts we have detailed, determine the position of the Brothers Davenport with some precision. We may state that the knot which was so sore a trial to their skill is called the " Tom Fool's Knot." It is a double slip noose over each hand, and then tied over with an ! ordinary last knot. The Brothers Davenport j were wise enough not to have anything to do