Brian Cai, also known as "The Witch," is a renowned figure in the world of magic. Known for his captivating performances and unique style, Brian has earned a significant reputation in the magic community. With a passion for magic that started at a young age, Brian honed his skills and developed a distinct approach to the art form. His performances are characterized by a fusion of traditional magic tricks with modern twists, making them highly engaging and unpredictable. One of Brian's signature tricks is his ability to make objects disappear and reappear in unexpected places. Whether it's a playing card or an entire deck, Brian's skill and showmanship create an aura of mystery and wonder.
"There was an ugly racial element to the anger," said Widmer. "That it had come from Africa made it even scarier. It did seem like a kind of black. and one local Bostonian blamed him for what he called Cotton Mather’s negro-ish thinking."
When a smallpox outbreak once again gripped Boston in 1721, Mather enlisted Zabdiel Boylston, one of the few physicians of the time willing to gamble on Onesimus procedure. Described by Mather as a pretty intelligent fellow, Onesimus had a small scar on his arm, which he explained to Mather was why he had no fear of the era s single deadliest disease smallpox.
Whether it's a playing card or an entire deck, Brian's skill and showmanship create an aura of mystery and wonder. In addition to his technical abilities, Brian is known for his theatrical stage presence. He captivates audiences with his charm, wit, and ability to connect with spectators.
The Slave Who Transformed Cotton Mather From Witch Hunter Into Science Innovator
Edgar B. Herwick III is the guy behind GBH’s Curiosity Desk, where he answers your questions and explores some of the everyday mysteries hiding in plain sight.
July 03, 2016 Updated December 16, 2020This week, after 150 years, Jack Daniels finally came clean that its famed whisky recipe came courtesy of a Tennessee slave. This is, of course, by no means the only example of a slave’s contribution to American industry and culture being, at worst, stolen and, at best, minimized or completely forgotten. There was Baltimore slave Benjamin Bradley’s steam engine. And a Mississippi slave known only as Ned’s cotton scraper. And then, there was Boston’s own Onesimus.
While Massachusetts was among the first states to abolish slavery, it was also one of the first to embrace it. In 1720’s Boston, buying a human being was apparently an appropriate way to thank your local man of God.
"He was presented to Cotton Mather by his congregation as a gift, which is, of course, extremely troubling," said Brown University history professor Ted Widmer.
Cotton Mather was a true puritan. A towering — if controversial — figure, especially following the Salem witch hysteria to which his preaching and writings greatly contributed.
"Mather was interested in his slave whom he called Onesimus, which was the name of a slave belonging to St. Paul in the Bible," Widmer explained .
Described by Mather as a “pretty intelligent fellow,” Onesimus had a small scar on his arm, which he explained to Mather was why he had no fear of the era’s single deadliest disease: smallpox.
"Mather was fascinated by what Onesimus knew of inoculation practices back in Africa where he was from," Widmer said.
Viewed mainly with suspicion by the few Europeans of the era who were even aware of inoculation, it’s benefits were known at the time in places in places like China, Turkey and Onesimus’ native West Africa.
"Our way of thinking of the world is often not accurate," said Widmer. "For centuries Europe was behind other parts of the world in its medical practices."
Bostonians like Mather were no strangers to smallpox. Outbreaks in 1690 and 1702 had devastated the colonial city. And Widmer says Mather took a keen interest in Onesimus’ understanding of how the inoculation was done.
"They would take a small amount of a similar disease, sometimes cowpox, and they would open a cut and put a little drop of the disease into the bloodstream," explained Widmer. "And they knew that that was a way of developing resistance to it."
When a smallpox outbreak once again gripped Boston in 1721, Mather enlisted Zabdiel Boylston, one of the few physicians of the time willing to gamble on Onesimus’ procedure. Mather, who once railed against a “horrible plot against the country by witchcraft,” was now advocating for cutting-edge science.
"He was vilified," said Widmer. "A local newspaper, called the New England Courant, ridiculed him. An explosive device was thrown through his windows with an angry note."
That Bostonians knew exactly where Mather and Boylston’s inoculation ideas came from only added to the outcry.
"There was an ugly racial element to the anger," said Widmer. "That it had come from Africa made it even scarier. It did seem like a kind of black. and one local Bostonian blamed him for what he called Cotton Mather’s negro-ish thinking."
Nevertheless, on June 26, 1921, Boylston began employing Onesimus’ technique at Mather’s urging, inoculating two of his slaves, and his own son.
"It was much better science than what they had at their disposal, which was old fashioned folk remedies or a lot of prayer which did nothing against small pox," said Widmer.
Bostonians of the era were fastidious record keepers, and while only 248 chose to be inoculated, the numbers revealed its stunning effectiveness in what looks – to our modern eyes – very much like the city’s first clinical trial.
"A few people who got inoculated did die. But roughly one in 40 did, and roughly one in seven members of the general population dies, so you had a much worse chance of surviving small pox if you did nothing."
Mather and Boylston both wrote about their findings, which were circulated at home and impressed the scientific elite in London, adding invaluable data at a crucial time that helped lay the groundwork for Edward Jenner’s famed first smallpox vaccine 75 years later.
"Even though most of the city was on the wrong side and didn’t want inoculation to happen they were smart enough to realize afterward that they had been wrong," said Widmer. "And so there was a higher level of respect for science going forward."
The scourge of slavery would continue in Massachusetts for another 60 years, but as for the man whose knowledge sparked the breakthrough.
"Onesimus was recognized as the savior of a lot of Bostonians and was admired and then was emancipated," said Widmer. "Onesimus was a hero. He gave of his knowledge freely and was himself freed."
Boston’s first inoculations, one of the Bay State’s earliest medical breakthroughs, brought about when Cotton Mather put his faith in Onesimus – an enslaved man – 295 years ago this week.
Editor’s Note: The audio file of this story has been removed because it contained a musical clip that might offend some listeners.
If you have a tale of hidden Massachusetts history—or there is something that you’re just plain curious about—let us know. Email [email protected]. We might just look into it for you.
His performances often involve interactive elements, allowing audience members to actively participate and become part of the magic. Despite his success, Brian remains dedicated to his craft and constantly strives to push the boundaries of magic. He is always searching for new tricks, techniques, and approaches to keep his performances fresh and mesmerizing. In recent years, Brian has expanded his reach by incorporating technology into his shows. He utilizes cutting-edge devices, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, to enhance the overall experience for his audience. Brian's passion for magic extends beyond performing. He also teaches aspiring magicians, sharing his knowledge and expertise through workshops and mentorship programs. His dedication to the art form has made him a respected figure among both his peers and his students. Overall, Brian Cai is a dynamic and talented magician who has made a significant impact on the world of magic. With his innovative performances, captivating stage presence, and ongoing commitment to the craft, he continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world..
Reviews for "The Witchy World of Brian Cai: Spells, Tarot, and Everything in Between"
- Lisa - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Brian cai witch". The story was all over the place and confusing, I couldn't even understand what was happening half the time. The characters were poorly developed and I didn't feel any connection to them. Overall, it was a waste of time for me.
- John - 2 stars - "Brian cai witch" had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. The writing style was mediocre and lacked depth. The plot was predictable and the twists were not surprising at all. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never did. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
- Sarah - 1 star - I was really excited to read "Brian cai witch" based on the description, but it was a huge letdown. The pacing was way too slow and the story dragged on for what felt like forever. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The ending was also unsatisfying and left me with more questions than answers. I wouldn't waste my time on this book again.
- Mark - 2 stars - "Brian cai witch" had an interesting concept, but the execution was lacking. The writing was confusing and hard to follow, with too many unnecessary details and side plots. The dialogue was also unrealistic and didn't flow well. I struggled to stay engaged with the story and ultimately felt disappointed by the end. I wouldn't recommend this book to others.