A person in the room requested that Dr. Gordon Smith, one of the
medical professors in the London University, would examine the vial,
and decide whether it contained genuine phosphorus.
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 hands
together behind me. After he had been bandaged in this manner, he
planted himself on one knee in the middle of the room, and requested
some gentleman to place the phosphorus on his tongue and pour the water
down his throat. This was accordingly done, and the water and
phosphorus were swallowed together. He then opened his mouth and
requested the company to look whether any portion of the phosphorus
remained in his mouth. Several gentlemen examined his mouth, and
declared that there was no phosphorus perceptible either upon or under
his tongue. He was then by his own desire unbandaged. The fire-king
forthwith turned to Mr. Smith and offered him the other glass of
phosphorus. Mr. Smith started back in infinite alarm--'Not for worlds,
Sir, not for worlds; I beg to decline it.'
The Fire-king--"Then wherefore did you send me a challenge? You
pledged your honor to drink it, if I did; I have done it; and if you
are a gentleman, you must drink it too."