CHAPTER FOUR
THE MASTER—CHABERT, 1792-1859
IVAN IVANITZ CHABERT, the only Really Incombustible Phenomenon, as he was billed abroad, or J. Xavier Chabert, A,M., M.D., etc., as he was afterwards known in this country, was probably the most notable, and certainly the most interesting, character in the history of fire-eating, fire-resistance, and poison eating. He was the last prominent figure in the long line of this type of artists to appeal to the better classes and to attract the attention of scientists, who for a considerable period treated his achievements more or less seriously. Henry Evanion gave me a valuable collection of Chabert clippings, hand-bills, etc., and related many interesting incidents in connection with this man of wonders.
It seems quite impossible for me to write
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