Wizard of the North! A Tale.

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Wizard of the North! A Tale.

This broadside is an advertisement for seeing the performance of the Wizard of the North. The Wizard of the North was the stage-name for the magician John Henry Anderson (14th July 1814 to 5th February 1874).

The text purports to tell a tale. It takes the reader to Crail, a port-town in Fife. In Crail lived John Tamson (likely an arbitrary name akin to John Smith) and his wife Janet. Out of boredom, Janet suggests that the two visit the town 'Auld Reekie' (also known as Edinburgh), for she had read in books of magical beasts and wizards residing there.

The two thus departed for Auld Reekie. After wondering around the town for a while, John saw an advertisement for the Wizard off the North. Janet recalls tales of the wizard being dark and satanic. Janet says that they should visit him. John is against the idea for fear of his dark magic. Janet points out that the Queen saw him, so they may as well. They decided to go. The two were dazzled by the magic performed in the show.

Broadside

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Aberdeen Local Studies

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