The Humbugs of the World · Chapter
Count Cagliostro explained
This chapter details the life and exploits of Count Alessandro di Cagliostro, born Joseph Balsamo, a master humbug who traveled across Europe and the Middle East, using alchemy, false titles, and elaborate schemes to deceive the wealthy and
What happens
This chapter details the life and exploits of Count Alessandro di Cagliostro, born Joseph Balsamo, a master humbug who traveled across Europe and the Middle East, using alchemy, false titles, and elaborate schemes to deceive the wealthy and powerful. It covers his early crimes, his partnership with his wife Lorenza, his claims of immortality and the Philosopher's Stone, his involvement in Egyptian Masonry, and his eventual imprisonment and death by the Inquisition.
Themes in this chapter
Definition and Nature of Humbug
Cagliostro's entire career exemplifies humbug through false titles, alchemical claims, and elaborate deceptions.
Gullibility and Human Nature
The chapter highlights how even the wealthy and educated, like Lavater and Pinto, were easily fooled by Cagliostro's pretensions.
Religion and Superstition
Cagliostro exploited religious and mystical beliefs, claiming divine authority for his Egyptian Masonry and using spiritual agencies to justify his schemes.
Characters to notice
- Count Alessandro di Cagliostro
The central figure of the chapter, a notorious humbug and impostor, born Joseph Balsamo, who claimed vast wealth, alchemical powers, and immortality.
- Count of St. Germain
Mentioned as a fellow humbug whom Cagliostro visited in Westphalia or Schleswig.
- Marie Antoinette
Referenced in connection with the Diamond Necklace affair, which is mentioned but not detailed in this chapter.
- Louis de Rohan
Mentioned as part of the Diamond Necklace story involving Cagliostro and Marie Antoinette.
- Morande
A French editor who publicly denounced Cagliostro and was challenged to the 'Arsenical Pigs' affair.
Key passages
“He also married a very beautiful, very shrewd, and very wicked Roman donzella, Lorenza Feliciani by name; and the worthy couple, combining their various talents, and regarding the world as their oyster, at once proceeded to open it in the most scientific style.”
Cagliostro married Lorenza Feliciani, a beautiful and cunning woman, and together they skillfully exploited the world for their gain.
Describes the partnership between Cagliostro and his wife in their fraudulent schemes.
“The celebrated Lavater, a mild and genial, but feeble man, became one of Cagliostro's disciples, and was bamboozled to his heart's content—in fact, made to believe that the Count could put the devil into him, or take him out, as the case might be.”
Lavater, a gentle but gullible man, became a follower of Cagliostro and was convinced that the Count had power over demons.
Illustrates how even respected intellectuals were deceived by Cagliostro.