The professor went to the table, on
which the formidable collection of poisons
--such as red and white arsenic,
hydrocyanic acid, morphine and phosphorus--
was placed, and, examining the vial,
declared, that, to the best of his judgment,
it was genuine phosphorus.

M. Chabert asked Mr. Smith, how many
grains he wished to commence his first
draught with. Mr. Smith--``Twenty
grains will do as a commencement.''

A medical gentleman then came forward
and cut off two parcels of phosphorus,
containing twenty grains each. He was
placing them in the water, when the fire-
king requested that his phosphorus might
be cut into small pieces, as he did not wish
the pieces to stop on their way to his
stomach. The poisons were now prepared.
A wine-glass contained the portion
set aside for the fire-king--a tumbler the
portion reserved for Mr. Smith.

The Fire-king--``I suppose, gentlemen,
I must begin, and to convince you that
I do not juggle, I will first take off my
coat, and then I will trouble you, doctor
(speaking to Dr. Gordon Smith), to tie my