st james s evening post, 21 july 1726
fawkes adoption of pinchbeck s creations part of show allowed him further distance himself black magic , witchcraft. in public s eye more closely aligned travelling natural philosophers – scientists demonstrated recent discoveries in sciences in touring shows part education , part entertainment. fawkes still invoke spirits promotional effect though; 1726 advertisement appearance @ bristol fair jokingly referred whole equipage included auxiliary spirits , demons, shut in bottle conveniency of carriage .
his relation pinchbeck did not stop him exploiting opportunities in market when got chance; mist s weekly journal reported on 1 june 1728 that:
some considerable persons, reputed artists in legerdemain, preparing go country vacation; on contrary mr fawkes arrived in town play juggling tricks in absence, expecting have practice himself.
fawkes added occasional punch , judy show (which @ time billed punch , wife joan ) act , in worked son of famous puppeteer martin powell, though , powell sometime rivals audiences @ fairs.
by 1726 fawkes show included posture master, automata of pinchbeck, powell s puppet show, , giant waxwork figures:
first surprising dexterity of hand, in far exceeds ever pretended same art, cards, eggs, mice, money, , several curious birds divers parts of world never seen here before. 2d. famous posture master, allowed best in europe of kind. 3d. musical clock plays variety of tunes of tunes on organ, flute , flagelet, birds whistling , singing natural life. 4th. puppet show, comical humours of punch , wife joan: like-wise court of richest , largest figures ever shown in england, being big men , women.
he added horned woman , elizabeth french:
mr fawks, famous hocus pocus, shews @ present in pall-mall, wonderful woman, having beautiful rams-horn growing out of head, , divers strange nodes tis thought may produce horns.
french, had 10-inch (25 cm) horn-like growth on of head, remained in fawkes employ several years, knocked growth head when fell down stairs; horn sold sir hans sloane.
fawkes success continued; in 1730 performed indian princes , , in 1731 gave show visiting algerian ambassador , party along great many person of quality , distinction @ showed apple tree illusion , prospect of algiers in venetian machine. amazed visiting party (according craftsman) after tasting apples produced quick-growing tree, refused touch else belonged him.
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