A. Anderson - The Black Art

HOW TO DO

THE BUCK AST Containing a complete description of t h e mysteries of Magic and Sleight of Hand, together with m a n y wonderful experiments.

BY A. ANDERSON.

ILLUSTRATED.,

NEW F R A N K

YOHK:

TOU.SEY,

Publisher,

04 AND HI! ,\OFNN MOORE STREET.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in t h e year 1805, l i j FRANK

TOUSEY,

in tho Office of tho Librarian of Congress a t W a s h i n g t o n , D. C.

HOW TO DO

T H E BLACK A R T

INTRODUCTION. THE chief requisites f o r success in tho p e r f o r m a n c e of tho black a r t is m a n u a l d e x t e r i t y a n d self-confidence; n i m b l e fingers a n d a cool t e m p e r . A n y one w h o e x h i b i t s f e a t s of l e g e r d e m a i n , will do well to r e m e m b e r t h a t ono of t h e best m e t h o d s of d i v e r t i n g tho a t t e n t i o n of tho audienco f r o m t h e action of y o u r Angers, is to keep t a l k i n g ; t h e m o r e d i v e r t i n g y o u r t a l k , t h e less a t t e n t i o n will tho audience give to your m a n i p u l a t i o n of t h e object w h i c h h a s to bo moved or c h a n g e d w i t h o u t t h e i r knowledge. Never a t t e m p t t o p e r f o r m a n y t r i c k in public till you h a v e practiced it in p r i v a t e , a n d a r e perfect in i t s performance. D o n ' t r e p e a t a t r i c k if you aro a s k e d t o do so, b u t tell y o u r audience y o u will s h o w t h e m ono of tho s a m e n a t u r e , t h o u g h a l i t t l e d i f f e r e n t . If you 4re a s k e d t o r e p e a t , you m a y be sure some one half guesses h o w t h o t r i c k is done, a n d wishes t o m a k e c e r t a i n . D o n ' t tell your a u d i e n c e b e f o r e h a n d t h e p a r t i c u l a r s of t h o t r i c k you are g o i n g to exhibit, a s t h e r e b y you half bet r a y yourself. A n d , should t h e trick be detected, k e e p your t e m p e r .

The Jumping

F«ather.

Cut a piece of sheet-brass into the shape of a lozenge, about two inches a n d a half long a n d one inch broad. Bend it exactly in t h e middle, b u t leave t h e t w o points sufficiently wide a p a r t to give a spring t o t h e t w o sides when they are brought together. Roll a t h i n s t r i p of paper once or twice l o u n d t h e points of this spring, a f t e r bringing them together, and m a k e it f a s t w i t h a piece of w a f e r ; but, as this f a s t e n i n g would not hold long (the wafer being wet), secure it also w i t h a piece of t h r e a d , which is to be removed, of course, w h e n t h e s p r i n g Is required. H a v e three f e a t h e r s of various colors a n d sizes, a n d when about to perform the trick, hold t h e spring above described concealed in t h e hollow of t h e h a n d . Borrow a penny a n d t h r o w it into a basin, which, of course, you m u s t previously s h o w to t h e spectators t h a t they m a y see it Is e m p t y . T h r o w in a t t h e s a m e t i m e t h e little spring, a n d t h e n place t h e three feathers in t h e basin, ar.d request the company to choose which of t h e feathers is to j u m p out. W h e n they have made t h e choice, place t h e feather selected—under t h e pretence of a r r a n g i n g t h e feathers in a particular manner—upon the end of t h e spring. Now inform the audience t h a t t h e feather is made to j u m p by no mechanical means, b u t by virtue of a w o n d e r f u l chemical preparation. Have some colored w a t e r ready in a little bottle a n d pour over the spring. The w a f e r will be rapidly softened, and che spring, suddenly let loose, will jerk t h e feather into t h e air. Then t a k e u p t h e basin, empty t h e spring a n d t h e coin into t h e h a n d , a n d restore t h e money to the owner.

H o w

to B r e a k a Stone w i t h a B l o w of the

Fist.

Select two stones, flints are best, each f r o m three to six inches long, and about half as thick ; lay one flat on t h e ground, a n d place one end of the other stone upon it, raising the reverse end to a n angle of forty-flve degrees, a n d j u s t over t h e center of t h e stone (with which it m u s t form a T), supporting It in t h a t position by a piece of t h i n t w i g or stick, one, or one a n d a half inch long. If you n o w

Bharply strike tho raised stone about t h e middle, w i t h t h e little linger side o£ t h e fist, the stick will give way, and t h e stone be broken into f r a g m e n t s . The stones, however, m u s t be laid very carefully a n d so t h a t they may not slip, otherwise t h e experiment will be sure to fail.

To Melt

Money

in a Walnut ing the

Shell w i t h o u t

Injur-

Shell.

B e n d a n y thin coin a n d p u t it into a half a w a l n u t shell: t h e n place t h e shell on a little p l a t e to keep it steady. Then All t h e shell with a m i x t u r e made of three p a r t s very dry powdered nitre, one p a r t of flowers of s u l p h u r and n little fine s a w d u s t . Set light to this, a n d you will And t h e m e t a l melted a t the bottom of t h e shell in t h e form of a b u t t o n , which will become h a r d when the b u r n i n g matter a r o u n d it Is consumed.

H o w to P u l l out ot Y o u r

Mouth Yards

of

Ribbon,

etc., o f w h a t e v e r C o l o r y o u P l e a s e .

P u l l i n g ri6bons out of your m o u t h is a laughable triek, a n d Conjurers m a k e money by it. They will sell to you ribbons of any length, by p u t t i n g into their m o u t h t h e end of one length, as they pull out another to t h e exact end of every yard, m a k i n g it appear as if the several pieces were all one. They%ecretly tie k n o t s which they rest a g a i n s t their teeth ; t h e n they cut off t h e s a m e w i t h o u t being seen, because t h e m o v e m e n t s of their Angers aro hid by paper shavings held in g r e a t q u a n t i t y between their teeth, whereby t h e beholders are doubly deceived, seeing as much ribbon as will All a h a t , a n d t h e s a m e of w h a t e v e r color you please to require, d r a w n by even yards out of tho m o u t h , a n d t h e juggler t a l k s as if his m o u t h w a s empty. There is a common street trick of d r a w i n g out a whole pyramid of tape f r o m t h e lips, b u t t h e above is a f a r greater trick.

The Burning Five-Dollar

Bill.

If you dip a five-dollar bill in p u r e brandy, and hold it in the flame of a candle until it takes Arc, it will spread all over in a sheet of ilame, and yet do no h a r m to the no towhatever. Fiery Writing

in

tho

Dark.

Place a small piece of solid phosphorus in a quill, and write with it some words upon paper. W h e n the paper is carried into a dark room tho writing will appear beautifully luminous. W r i t i n g b y t h e R a y a of t h e

Sun.

Dissolve a sufficient quantity of chalk in aquafortis, to make it of tho consistency of milk, and add to t h a t a strong solution of silver. P u t this liquor in a glass decanter, well stopped; then cut out from a paper tho letters you wish to appear, and paste tho paper on the decanter, which you will place in the sun in such a m a n n e r t h a t its rays may pass through the spaces cut out of the paper and fall on the surface of t h e liquor. T h a t p a r t of tho glass through which the rays pas3 will t u r n black, and t h a t under the paper will remain white. You m u s t be careful not to remove the bottle during the time of operation. You may mark f r u i t while growing by pasting on it your initials in paper, and allowing it to remain on the tree exposed to the sun for a few days. The p a r t covered by the paper will bo lighter colored t h a n the other p a r t . A

L o u d Report,

like t h a t ot a Tobacco

a Gun,

coming

from

Pipe.

Mix a powder composed of one ounce of saltpetre, one ounce of cream of tartar, and half an ounce of sulphur, pulverized separately, then mixed. P u t a single grain of this powder into a tobacco pipe, and when it takes fire It will produce an astonishingly loud report, though without breaking t h e pipe.

To Write

in tho

Dark.

Two planes of ebony, of equal l e n g t h a n d breadth, simil a r to a parallel ruler, a n d joined a t each end by racks, tho side of which is g r a d u a t e d to tho w i d t h of t h e lino ro. quired, will serve as a sure guide ; a n d a blind person, or a person i'.i t h e d a r k may, by t h e use of this i n « t r u m e n t , writo w i t h tho g r e a t e s t accuracy. If ivory tablets, or a slate, is used, a line wire d r a w n w i t h a stcol point, may be readily felt by the point of the pencil. Philosophy

Puzzled.

This f e a t 1s really a n excellent one, a n d h a s astonished crowds of spectators. I t w a s one of tho favorites of a lato professor, by whom it w a s promulgated. Before you perform it in public you m u s t practice it until you a r e perfect in private, for it would be a pity to spoil its effect by maki n g a blunder in it. Begin by s t a t i n g t h a t you aro a b o u t p e r f o r m i n g w h a t you have no d o u b t will bo regarded as a very e x t r a o r d i n a r y manoeuvre, and you will leave t h e comp a n y to decide upon w h a t principal of n a t u r a l philosophy it is accomplished. The mode of performance is as follows : L a y a piece of wood across tho p a l m of your l e f t h a n d , which keep wide open, w i t h tho t h u m b a n d alt tho fingers f a r a p a r t , lest you bo suspected of s u p p o r t i n g t h e wood w i t h t h e m . N e x t t a k e your left w r i s t in your r i g h t h a n d , a n d g r a s p it tightly, for t h e purposo as you s t a t e , of giving t h e h a n d more steadiness. N o w suddenly t u r n tho back of your left h a n d uppermost, a n d as your w r i s t moves in your r i g h t h a n d , stretch o u t t h e forefinger of your r i g h t h a n d , a n d as soon as tho wood comcs undermost, support it with such forefinger. You m a y now s h a k e t h e h a n d , a n d a f t e r a m o m e n t or two, allow t h e wood to drop. I t is t w o to one b u t t h e spectators will suppose it t o be produced by tho action of t h e air, a n d t r y t o do it t h e m s e l v e s ; but, of course, they m u s t , unless you h a v e performed t h e f e a t so a w k w a r d l y a s to bo discovered, fail in its performance. If you h a v e no objection t o reveal t h e socret, you can do it again, a n d while they a r e gravely philosophizing upon it, suddenly lift up your h a n d and expose t h e trick.

8

HOW

TO DO T H E

BLACK

ART.

To M a k e a R i n g Suspend by a B u r n t

Thread.

Soak a piece of thread in strong salt and water, tie it to a wedding ring, and you may burn it in a flame, but it will sustain the ring.

*

The Handkerchief Cut, T o r n a n d

Mended.

. Two of the company are requested to como forward, and a handkerchief is given to them, which they are to hold by the four corners; a f t e r w a r d s several other handkerchiefs are borrowed from tho company, and as they are gathered they are p u t into t h e first one to make a b u n d l e ; when a dozen have been filled up, the two persons who hold the bundle causo a third person to take one of them out by chance, and this third person is requested to examine the marks, etc., and to cut oil a corner with a pair of scissors ; other persons may also cut off pieces if they choose, after which the handkerchief is entirely torn to pieces. All t h e shreds are to be collected, and a f t e r being sprinkled with some drug, are folded up, and tied tight w i t h a ribbon to press them into a small compass; they are p u t u n d e r a glass, and u n f o l d e d ; t h e company recognize t h e marks, and the astonished spectators cannot perceive any r e n t in the handkerchief. Explanation,—One of the company is in confederacy, who, having had t w o handkerchiefs exactly alike, gives one to the confederate who is hidden behind the scene and throws the other on the stage to be used in the trick. Care is taken to p u t this one on t h e top of t h e heap, although they are seemingly mixed a t hazard. The person to whom you address yourself to take one by chance takes n a t u r a l l y t h e uppermost, and, if you perceive t h a t another is taken, you request t h e m to mix t h e m well, under pretence of completing t h e trick, and then, under pretence of settling them, you regain the confederate handkerchief, and hand the bundle to some other of the company, whose countenance indicates less suspicion, who p u t s his hand to the bundle of handkerchiefs, and good-humoredly takes out tho first. When the handkerchief has been torn and well folded, it is p u t under a glass on a table, near a partition.

On the part of the table where it is placed there is a small trap, which opens to let it fall into a drawer. The confederate, hid behind t h e scene, passes his h a n d into tho table to substitute t h e second in tho place of the first handkerchief ; ho then s h u t s the trap, which so neatly fits t h e space it opens into as to appear one uninterrupted surface, and deceives t h e eye of the most acute and incredulous spectator.

The Burnt Handkerchief, Borrow a pocket handkerchief from one of t h e company, t u r n up your coat sleeves, show t h a t you have nothing concealed about your h a n d s or up your sleeves, burn a piece out of the center of the handkerchief, blow it o u t a n d roll it up, and touch it w i t h your wand, exclaiming at the same t i m e : " H a n d k e r c h i e f , as you were 1" shake it out, and you will find it all right again. Explanation.—Before commencing this trick provide yourself with a small piece of calico, or linen, apiece about three inches square, and place it, not under your coat sleeves, b u t under your shirt sleeve on t h e left hand, and then you are ready to perform the trick. Borrow a handkerchief, show t h a t you liavo nothing concealed about your h a n d s or sleeves, t a k i n g care not to t u r n round t h e hand to the company which contains the piece in the sleeve; a t t h e same time t a k e the handkerchief and lay it across your left hand, p u t the r i g h t hand underneath, and t a k e the piece from your shirt sleeve and bring it forward to t h e t o p ; then a s k t h e owner if you may burn t h e handkerchief ; very likely he or she may say " N o , " then you s a y : " T h a n k you," and begin to burn i t ; tell him t h a t you will burn it down to as f a r as your fingers, because you k n o w if you burn it f u r t h e r w h a t the consequences will b e ; then when you have b u r n t nearly all t h e piece, blow it out, and, as you roll up t h e handkerchief, place the piece remaining u n b u r n t between t h e t h u m b and forefinger of the right hand ; keep on rolling up the handkerchief, and when you walk u p to your table for your magic wand you drop the little piece behind it, a n d ' a t the same time taking up your

!

w a n d , e x c l a i m - " H a n d k e r c h i e f , as y o u w e r e , " a n d o n s h a k i n g i t o u t i t w i l l be f o u n d t o be a l l r i g h t a g a i n .

The W a t e r

Trick.

P r o c u r e t w o pieces o f glass a b o u t s i x ' i n c h e s square, j o i n a n y t i v o o f t h e i r sides, a n d separate t h o opposite sides i w i t h a p i e c e o f w a x , so t h a t t h e i r s u r f a c e s m a y f o r m a n a n g l e of a b o u t t w o or three d e g r e e s ; i m m e r s e t h i s apparatus i n water, and the w a t e r w i l l riso between the plates and f o r m a beautiful geometrical llgure.

The Tumbling

Egg.

F i l l a q u i l l w i t h q u i c k s i l v e r ; seal i t a t b o t h ends w i t h g o o d h a r d w a x . T h e n b o i l a n egg. T a k e a s m a l l pieco of shell off and t h r u s t i n the q u i l l w i t h the q u i c k s i l v e r ; lay I t o n t h o g r o u n d a n d i t w i l l j u m p a b o u t t i l l a l l t h e h e a t is gone. I f y o u p u t q u i c k s i l v e r i n t o a bladder a n d w a r m i t aftor y o u have b l o w n i t o u t a n d secured it, i t w i l l s k i p about i n the same manner.

To Make Blood Flow

From

a

Knife.

G e t a s m a l l pieco of sponge a n d d i p i t i n t o some r e d l i q u i d h a v i n g t h o a p p e a r a n c e o f b l o o d . P l a c e obis b e h i n d y o u r ear. T u r n u p y o u r sleeve a n d e x h i b i t y „ u r h a n d s t o s h o w t h e r e is n o t h i n g i n t h e m . T h e n t a k e a c o m m o n table-knife and hand it round for examination. On taking it back grasp it fully in your hand, that you m a y have a n o p p o r t u n i t y of t a k i n g h o l d of t h e s p o n g e u n p e r c e i v e d . Say t h a t , w h e n e v e r y o u p e r f o r m t h i s t r i c k , w h i c h is borr o w e d f r o m t h e b l a c k a r t , y o u are a f r a i d somo diaoolical agency m a y w i t h e r your a r m , and you should request t h a t one of the spectators w i l l m a k e a cross o n y o u r e l b o w . W h e n the person w h o complies w i t h y o u r request comes f o r w a r d , bend your a r m back, raising i t a l i t t l e a n d bringi n g f o r w a r d t h e e l b o w , w h i l e t h e h a n d is n a t u r a l l y b r o u g h t n e a r t h e e a r , a n d t h e s p o n g e m a y be t a k e n u p u n -

perceived. W h e n t h o cross has been d u l y made, y o u should strotch out y o u r a r m at f u l l length, a n d squeezing t h e h a n d l e of t h e k n i f e a g a i n s t t h e sponge, b l o o d w i l l bo seen t o d r o p f r o m i t s p o i n t . Y o u c a n , of course, h i d o t h o s p o n g e a f t e r w a r d s , as y o u h a v e t o w i p e y o u r h a n d a f t e r performing this trick, and can slip i t unperceived into your pocket handkerchief.

Tho Card Nailed to the W a l l by a Pistol

Shot.

A c a r d is d e s i r e d t o bo d r a w n , a n d t h e p e r s o n w h o chose it requested to tear of! a corner and keep it, t h a t ho m a y k n o w t h e c a r d ; t h e c a r d so t o r n i s t h e n b u r n t t o c i n d e r s , a n d a p i s t o l is c h a r g e d w i t h g u n p o w d e r w i t h w h i c h t h o ashes of t h o c a r d aro m i x e d . I n s t e a d o f a b a l l a n a i l , w h i c h is m a r k e d b y some of t h o c o m p a n y , is p l a c e d i n t h o b a r r o l ; t h e p a c k of c a r d s is t h e n t h r o w n u p i n t h o a i r , t h o p i s t o l i s fired, a n d t h e b u r n t c a r d a p p e a r s n a i l e d a g a i n s t t h o w a l l . T h o b i t of t h o c o r n e r w h i c h w a s t o r n off Is t h e n c o m p a r e d w i t h i t a n d i s f o u n d e x a c t l y t o fit, a n d t h o n a i l w h i c h f a s t e n s i t t o t h o w a l l Is r e c o g n i z e d b y t h e persons who marked it.

Exjilanation.—When t h o p e r f o r m e r sees t h a t a c o r n e r has been t o r n f r o m tho chosen c a r d he r e t i r e s a n d m a k e s a similar tear on a like card ; r e t u r n i n g to the theatro he a s k s f o r t h e c h o s e n c a r d a n d passes i t t o t h o b o t t o m of t h o p a c k a n d substitutes a d r o i t l y i n t h o placo the card w h i c h h e h a s prepared, w h i c h ho b u r n s i n s t e a d of t h o first. W h e n t h o p i s t o l is l o a d e d l i e t a k e s i t i n h i s h a n d s , u n d e r t h o prctence of s h o w i n g h o w t o d i r e c t i t ; h e a v a i l s h i m self of t h i s o p p o r t u n i t y to open a hole i n t h e barrel near the touch-hole, t h r o u g h w h i c h the nail falls by its o w n w e i g h t i n t o h i s h a n d . H a v i n g s h u t t h i s passage c a r e f u l l y ho requests some of t h e c o m p a n y t o p u t m o r e w a d d i n g i u t h e p i s t o l ; w h i l s t t h a t is doing, ho carries tho n a i l a n d card to his confederate, w h o q u i c k l y nails the card to a s q u a r e piece of w o o d , w h i c h stops h e r m e t i c a l l y a space l e f t open i n t h e p a r t i t i o n a n d i n t h e tapesfry, b u t w h i c h is n o t perceived, as i t is c o v e r e d by a piece of t a p e s t r y s i m i l a r t o t h o rest of t h e r o o m , a n d b y w h i c h m e a n s w h e n t h e n a i l e d

c a r d is p u t i n i t is n o t perceived. T h e piece of t a p e s t r y w h i c h covers i t is nicely, fastened on the one end w i t h t w o p i n s , a n d t o t h e o t h e r a t h r e a d is fastened, one e n d of w h i c h t h e c o n f e d e r a t e h o l d s i n h i s h a n d . A s s o o n as t h e r e p o r t of t h e p i s t o l is h e a r d t h e confederate d r a w s his t h r e a d , b y w h i c h m e a n s t h o piece of t a p e s t r y f a l l s b e h i n d a glass, a n d t h e card appears—tho same t h a t w a s m a r k e d , i and w i t h the nail that was p u t i n the pistol. The pistol ' i s , of c o u r s e , m a d e s p e c i a l l y f o r t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f t h i s trick. N . B . — I f a n y one suspects t h a t t h e n a i l has been s t o l e n o u t of the pistol, y o u persist i n t h e contrary, a n d beg the c o m p a n y a t t h e n e x t e x h i b i t i o n t o be f u r t h e r c o n v i n c e d ; y o u t h e n are t o s h o w a p i s t o l ; w h i c h y o u t a k e t o pieces t o s h o w t h a t a l l is f a i r . W i t h o u t p r e p a r a t i o n y o u c h a r g e i t w i t h a n a i l w h i c h is m a r k e d b y a confederate, o r y o n s h o w i t to m a n y persons to a v o i d its being m a r k e d — i n this case t h e c a r d i s n a i l e d w i t h a n o t h e r n a i l ; b u t t o p e r s u a d e t h e c o m p a n y t h a t i t is t h e same, y o u b o l d l y assert t h a t t h e n a i l wa3 m a r k e d b y several persons, a n d y o u request tho spectators t o v i e w i t a n d be convinced.

Arithmetical Conjuring

Tricks.

C o m b i n a t i o n s of n u m b e r s s o m e t i m e s p r o d u c e r e s u l t s t h a t are, to say t h e least, v e r y a s t o n i s h i n g . T o t e l l a person's age a f t e r t h a t person has p e r f o r m e d a v e r y i n t r i c a t e calcul a t i o n , o f w h i c h y o u see n o t h i n g b u t t h e r e s u l t , s m a c k s r a t h e r of t h e d i a b o l i c a l , a n d i n o l d e n t i m e s m i g h t h a v e led the m a g i c i a n t o the stake. T h e f o l l o w i n g is an ingenious trick: T o tell w h o has the Ring, a n d on w h i c h

Finger.

Y o u p r o c u r e a n o r d i n a r y finger r i n g a n d g i v e i t t o t h e c o m p a n y , t e l l i n g t h e m t o s e t t l e a m o n g t h e m s e l v e s w h o is to wear it, a n d y o u w i l l a f t e r w a r d s discover w h o has it. W h e n they have arranged that matter you call upon t h e m t o f o r m a line, and you n u m b e r them, they keeping their h a n d s concealed. A l s o y o u are t o i n s t r u c t t h e m t h a t i n t h e a r i t h m e t i c a l c a l c u l a t i o n s t h e r i g h t h a n d s c o u n t as 1, t h e l e f t h a n d s as 2; that the fingers a r e n u m b e r e d 1 t o 5—

the t h u m b being N o . 1 ; a n d t h a t the j o i n t s of t h e fingers a r e n u m b e r e d f r o m 1 t o 3 — t h e n a i l j o i n t b e i n g N o . 1. O f c o u r s e t h e y a i i k n o w w h o h a s t h e r i n g , o n w h i c h fing e r a n d w h i c h j o i n t o f t h e f i n g e r ; y o u h a v e t o find o u t , a n d you do i t t h u s : Y o u b i d t h e b e s t a r i t h m e t i c i a n o f t h e m fix i n h i s o w n m i n d t h e n u m b e r of t h e person w h o has t h o r i n g ; l e t h i m m e n t a l l y m u l t i p l y t h a t n u m b e r b y 2, t h e n a d d 5 t o t h e p r o d u c t , t h e n m u l t i p l y t h a t s u m b y 5, t h e n a d d 10 t o t h e p r o d u c t , t h e n a d d t h o n u m b e r of t h e h a n d o n w h i c h t h e r i n g is, i. e „ 1 i f i t is o n a r i g h t h a n d , 2 i f o n a l e f t ; t h e n m u l t i p l y b y 10, t h e n a d d t h o n u m b e r o f t h e finger, 1 i f o n t h u m b , 2 i f o n f o r e f i n g e r , e t c . ; t h e n m u l t i p l y b y 10 a g a i n , t h e n a d d the n u m b e r of the j o i n t on w h i c h the r i n g rests, t h e n t o t h a t s u m a d d a n y n u m b e r less t h a n 50, y o u n a m i n g the n u m b e r ; then tell you the grand total. F r o m that g r a n d t o t a l y o u s u b t r a c t t h e s u m o f 3500, a n d w h a t e v e r w a s t h o l a s t n u m b e r added, t h e r e s u l t w i l l bo f o u r figures b y w h i c h y o u t e l l t h e p e r s o n t h e b a u d t h o finger a n d t h c j o i n t u p o n w h i c h t h e r i n g w i l l bo f o u n d . I l c r o is a n examplo: Suppose the r i n g is g i v e n t o e i g h t people, w h o dccidc a m o n g s t themselves t h a t N o . 4 shall place i t o n the first j o i n t of tho forefinger of his r i g h t hand. M u l t i p l y his n u m b e r by 2 Add Multiply by 5 A d d 10 A d d 1, t h e n u m b e r o f r i g h t M u l t i p l y b y 10 A d d 2, t h e n u m b e r o f t h o M u l t i p l y b y 10

: hand finger

A d d 1, f o r t h e n u m b e r o f t h e j o i n t A d d a n y n u m b e r u n d e r 50, say 40

= = = --=

8 13 05 75 70 700 762 7620 7621 7070

T h e r e s u l t , w h i c h h e t e l l s y o u , i s 7670, f r o m w h i c h y o u s u b t r a c t 3500, p l u s 49, t h e l a s t n u m b e r a d d e d ; y o u find r e m a i n i n g -1121, w h i c h s h o w s t h a t N o . 4 p e r s o n h a s t h e r i n g on No. 1 or r i g h t hand, No. 2 or forefinger, No. 1 joint.

A

Person h a v i n g Gold i n one h a n d a n d Silver in the other, y o u tell i n w h i c h h a n d is tho G o l d and i n w h i c h the Silver.

T e l l t h o p e r s o n t h a t t h e h a n d h o l d i n g t h e g o l d c o u n t s 4, t h e silver h a n d 3 ; o r y o u m a y choose o t h e r n u m b e r s , b u t t h e g o l d m u s t bo e v e n , a n d t h o s i l v e r o d d . B i d h i m m u l t i p l y t h a t w h i c h i s i n t h e r i g h t h a n d (3 o r 4 as i t m a y bo g o l d o r s i l v e r ) b y 3, a n d m u l t i p l y t h o l e f t h a n d n u m b e r b y 2. T h e n b i d h i m a d d t h e t w o p r o d u c t s t o g e t h e r , a n d a s k h i m i f t h e s u m t o t a l Is a n o d d o r a n e v e n n u m b e r . I f i t i s a n e v e n n u m b e r , ' t h e g o l d w i l l be i n h i s r i g h t h a n d ; b u t i f i t i s a n o d d n u m b e r , t h o g o l d w i l l be i n h i s l e f t . I f g o l d a n d s i l v e r chance t o bo scarce, s u b s t i t u t e pence a n d h a l f pence. To A n d out a Person's B i r t h d a y

by

Arithmetic.

Y o u t e l l a p e r s o n t h a t y o u w i l l find h i s o r h e r b i r t h d a y by calculation, a n d begin by b i d d i n g t h a t person w r i t e d o w n , i n figures, w i t h o u t l e t t i n g y o u see i t , th.e d a y o f t h o m o n t h on which born ; then in a line w i t h it the number the m o n t h takes i n the Calender—as 1 for January, 2 for F e b r u a r y , 3 f o r M a r c h , etc. T h u s , a p e r s o n b o r n o n t h e 1st o f J a n u a r y w o u l d p u t d o w n 11, w h i l e o n e b o r n o n t h o l a s t d a y o f t h o y e a r w o u l d w r i t e 3112. T h e n b i d t h e p e r s o n m u l t i p l y this n u m b e r by 2 ; then to tho product add 5 ; t h e n m u l t i p l y by 50; t h e n to the product a d d t h o correct a g o l a s t b i r t h d a y ; f r o m t h a t s u b t r a c t 305, a n d t h e n t o t h a t r e m a i n d e r a d d 115. A s k t h e p e r s o n t o t e l l y o u t h e r e s u l t — t h e l a s t r o w of figures—from t h a t y o u can t e l l the d a y a n d m o n t h of b i r t h , a n d t h e age last b i r t h d a y . F o r i n s t a n c e , suppose a p e r s o n b o r n o n t h e 1st of J a n u a r y , 1809, t h a t p e r s o n w o u l d p u t d o w n 1 f o r t h e d a y , 1 f o r t h e m o n t h , = 1 1 ; o r i f b o r n 28 o f F e b r u a r y , w o u l d p u t d o w n 28 f o r t h e d a y , 2 f o r t h e m o n t h , = 2 8 2 . I n t h e l a t t e r case, 282 m u l t i p l i e d b y 2 Add 5 . . . ... Multiply by 5 0 . . . A d d ago last b i r t h d a y S u b t r a c t 305 A d d 115

... ... (17)

=

501 5G0 28150 28107 28302 28217

v

I I o t h e n t e l l 3 y o u t h e r e s u l t , 28217. W e l l , a g l a n c e w i l l t e l l y o u w h e t h e r t h e p e r s o n i s 7 o r 17 y e a r s o l d — y o u A n d he is 17; h e w a s b o r n i n t h e 2 n d m o n t h of t h o y e a r , a n d o n t h o 28th d a y of t h a t m o n t h .

To Mako a Card J u m p

out of a Pack and

along tho

Bun

Table.

T h i s is a n e x t r a o r d i n a r y t r i c k i f w e l l m a n a g e d . T a k e a p a c k of cards, a n d l e t a n y person d r a w a c a r d he m a y fancy best, a n d a f t e r w a r d s p u t I t i n t o t h e p a c k i n such a m a n n e r as t o k n o w w l i e r o t o p l a c e y o u r h a n d o n I t a g a i n ; t h e n t a k e a piece of w a x , a n d placc i t u n d e r tire t h u m b nail of your r i g h t hand; then fasten a hair to y o u r t h u m b , a n d t h o other e n d of tho h a i r to the card ; n o w spread tho p a c k of cards open on t h o table a n d say : " I f y o u are a f r i e n d y o u w i l l j u m p o u t of t h o pack." T h e r i g h t card w i l l t h e n j u m p o u t o n t h o t a b l e as y o u m o v e y o u r h a n d towards you.

H o w

to Change Pour

Aces

into Four

Knaves.

M a k e a p a c k of e i g h t cards, f o u r k n a v e s a n d t h e same n u m b e r o f a c e s ; p l a c e e a c h k n a v e a n d ace e v e n l y t o gether, a n d place t h e e i g h t cards a t t h o b o t t o m of a complete pack of cards. T h e n shuffle t h o pack i n such a mann e r t h a t o n o ace m a y l i e u p p e r m o s t , o r so t h a t y o u m a y k n o w w h e r e i t lies alwayB ; let y o u r pack, w i t h three or f o u r cards m o r e , lie close t o g e t h e r , i m m e d i a t e l y u p o n a n d w i t h t h a t a c e ; t h e n m a k i n g some speech t o a m u s e t h e a u d i e n c e , c o n t r i v e t o w o r k y o u r fingers i n s h u f f l i n g q u i c k l y so as t o c o n f u s e t h e m , w h i l e y o u a p p e a r t o d r a w t h e f o u r aces ( o n o a f t e r t h e o t h e r ) , a n d l a y t h e m o n t h e t a b l e , face d o w n w a r d s , w h i l e , i n r e a l i t y , a l t h o u g h y o u s h o w e d t h e m t h e aces s i n g l y , b y t h o a d r o i t m o v e m e n t s o f y o u r hands you replaced t h e m i n the pack, a n d s u b s t i t u t e d the f o u r k n a v e s , w h i c h , c r y i n g " P r e s t o c h a n g e 1" y o u t u r n u p a n d s h o w t h e m , as i f t h o f o u r aces w e r e t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o four knaves, m u c h to their amusement and surprise.

Cards Mysteriously

Changed.

T a k e t w o cards, one d i a m o n d s , t h e o t h e r spades. S p l i t t h e m i n s u c h a m a n n e r as t o r e d u c e t h e p a i n t e d s i d e t o h a l f i t s u s u a l t h i c k n e s s ; t h e n , w i t h , a razor, peel o f f scales o f p a p e r t i l l i t b e c o m e s of t h e c o n s i s t e n c y o f t i s s u e p a p e r . N o w cut, o u t a s p a d e p i p a n d a d i a m o n d p i p . S p r e a d a l i t t l e t a l l o w o n t h e b a c k of b o t h p i p s . S t i c k t h o d i a m o n d p i p u p o n t h e q u e e n of s p a d e s , so as t o c o n c e a l t h e s p a d o p i p , a n d t h e spade p i p u p o n t h o queen of d i a m o n d s , coveri n g t h e d i a m o n d p i p . T h e a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e c a r d s so a l t e r e d w i l l b y c a n d l e l i g h t be c o m p l e t e l y d e c e p t i v e . C a l l o n the spectators to look a t the cards f r o m a distance, t h e n p l a c e t h e m i n a h a t t o be h e l d a l o f t , a n d p u t t h o o t h e r i n a second h a t , b o t h a b o u t f o u r paces d i s t a n t . T u r n the sleeves o f y o u r c o a t u p , a n d h o l d o u t y o u r h a n d s t o p r o v e t o the company t h a t there is n o t h i n g concealed i n t h e m . T h e n w a l k u p t o one h a t a n d r e m o v e t h e false p i p f r o m t h o card w i t h i n i t , a n d passing to the second h a t , w i t h y o u r hands stretched out to show t h a t they are still e m p t y go t h r o u g h t h e s a m e p r o c e s s as w i t h t h e f i r s t . N o w s t a n d i n t h e m i d d l e of t h o r o o m a n d c r y o u t : " O n c e — t w i c e — t h r i c e I P a s s . " T h e t w o h a t s m a y t h e n be l o o k e d i n t o , a n d t h e cards t a k e n o u t a n d s h o w n , to the a s t o n i s h m e n t of t h e spectators a t t h e r a p i d a n d m y s t e r i o u s change.

Tricks with

Money.

P l a c e a q u a r t e r o n t h e t i p s o f t h e m i d d l e a n d t h i r d fing e r , so t h a t i t s h a l l r e s t t h e r e o f i t s o w n w e i g h t . B y n o w t u r n i n g the hand w i t h the knuckles uppermost, and quickl y c l o s i n g t h e fingers i n t o t h o p a l m , t h e c o i n m a y be h e l d securely by the c o n t r a c t i o n of the t h u m b , a n d the h a n d s t i l l appear t o c o n t a i n n o t h i n g . T h i s is c a l l e d palming, and, w i t h a l i t t l e practice, n e a r l y e v e r y f e a t df s i m p l e lege r d e m a i n m a y be p e r f o r m e d b y i t s m e a n s . C a r e , o f c o u r s e , m u s t be t a k e n n o t t o expose t h e c o i n by a n y r e v e r s e d m o v e m e n t of the hand.

How

to Steal Three

Ducks.

A g e n t l e m a n once s e n t h i s s e r v a n t w i t h n i n e d u c k s i n a bag upon w h i c h was the following direction : " T o MIT. M A T T H E W MOIIUI.T.', W I R A I X

DUCKS."

T h e s e r v a n t h a d less o£ h o n e s t y t h a n i n g e n u i t y a b o u t h i m , a n d s t o l e t h r e e of t h e d u c k s . H e n e i t h e r erased a letter nor a word, nor substituted a n e w direction. Now h o w d i d he manage i t ?

Solution: H e m e r e l y numeials, thus:

placed the letter S

" T o M N . M A T T H E W MUDDLK, WITH S I X

H o w

to S h o w

Empty

before

the

DUCKS."

the H e n and E g g Bag, and f r o m an

Bag

to

bring

afterwards a Iiive

a

Hundred

Eggs

and

Hen.

T a k e t w o or three y a r d s of calico, or p r i n t e d linen, a n d m a k e a double bag, a t tho m o u t h of w h i c h , on the side n e a r e s t y o u , y o u m u s t m a k e f o u r o r five l i t t l e p u r s e s , i n e a c h of w h i c h y o u m u s t p l a c e t w o o r t h r e e e g g s . When y o u h a v e filled t h a t s i d o n e x t t o y o u , h a v e a h o l e m a d e a t one e n d of y o u r bag, so t h a t n o m o r e t h a n t w o or t h r e e eggs c a n c o m e o u t a t once. Y o u m u s t also h a v e a n o t h e r b a g , w h i c h i s so e x a c t l y l i k e t h e first t h a t i t s h a l l be i m possible to d i s t i n g u i s h one f r o m the other, i n w h i c h y o u w i l l p u t a hen, a n d h a n g i t on a h o o k on the side w h e r e y o u s t a n d . T h e t r i c k is p e r f o r m e d t h u s : P u t b o t h y o u r hands i n t o the egg bag, then t u r n i t inside out, saying : " L a d i e s a n d g e n t l e m e n , y o u see t h a t t h e r e i s n o t h i n g i n side m y bag," a n d w h i l e t u r n i n g i t again, c o n t r i v e to slip some of t h e eggs o u t of t h e p u r s e s ; t h e n t u r n y o u r b a g a g a i n a n d s h o w t h e c o m p a n y t h a t i t is e m p t y ; i n t u r n i n g i t a g a i n y o u c o m m a n d m o r e eggs t o come o u t , a n d w h e n t h e y are a l l o u t b u t one, y o u t a k e t h a t one a n d s h o w i t t o the company ; then drop the egg bag and take up the hen bag a n d shake o u t y o u r hen, pigeon, or any other f o w l .

The Dancing

Egg.

P r e p a r e a piece o l b l a c k s i l k t h r e a d a b o u t t h r e e feet i n l e n g t h , w i t h a n e m p t y egg fastened b y a k n o t a t one end of i t . P l a c e t h e egg-shell i n one of y o u r p o c k e t s . Then t a k e a f u l l egg, a n d h a v i n g a l l o w e d t h e s p e c t a t o r s t a exa m i n e i t a n d see i t i s n o t p r e p a r e d f o r t h e p u r p o s e , p l a c e it in a hat. N o w take an empty handkerchief and lay it on tho h a t , c o n t r i v i n g to place tho e m p t y egg w i t h tho thread attached, unobserved, beneath the pocket handkerchief, saying, " I a m obliged to p u t t h i s handkerchief w i t h t h e h a t , f o r fear w h e n t h e egg begins t o j u m p i t s h o u l d be broken." H a v i n g placed the f u l l egg beneath the handk e r c h i e f s t e p b a c k t h r e o o r f o u r paces, a n d t a k e a n e m p t y h a t i n one h a n d , w h i l e w i t h a n u m b e r of j o c u l a r sayings, the h a t w i t h t h e e g g is m o v e d a l i t t l e d i s t a n c e a w a y f r o m t h e b o d y . T h e e g g - s h e l l w i l l i n t h a t w a y bo b r o u g h t o u t u p o n t h e b r i m , a n d if the other h a t is placed a t a s h o r t distance, t h o egg, w i t h a s l i g h t j e r k , m a y be m a d e t o j u m p i n t o i t , a n d t h a t c a n b o r e p e a t e d as o f t e n as i s w i s h e d .

To Mako an E g g stand on E n d on a

Looking-glass.

To accomplish this trick let the performer take an egg i n h i s h a n d , a n d w h i l e he keeps t a l k i n g a n d s t a r i n g i n t h e face of h i s audience, g i v e i t t w o o r t h r e e h e a r t y s h a k e s ; t h i s w i l l b r e a k t h e y o l k of t h e egg, w h i c h w i l l s i n k t o one end, a n d consequently m a k e it more heavy, b y w h i c h , w h e n i t is s e t t l e d , y o u m a k o i t , w i t h a s t e a d y h a n d , s t a n d u p o n t h e g l a s s ; t h i s w o u l d bo i m p o s s i b l e w h i l e i t continued In its proper state.

The Beer

Trick.

T a k e a c o m m o n w i n e - g l a s s , fill i t w i t h p o r t e r . O n t h e t o p of t h e p o r t e r place a s m a l l pieco of p a p e r c u t n e a t l y r o u n d i n t h e s h a p e o f a five-cent p i e c e . Now, with a steady hand, p o u r g e n t l y w i t h a teaspoon enough w a t e r to fill u p t h e g l a s s , a n d t h e w a t e r w i l l float o n t h e t o p . R e move the paper, a n d y o u m a y t h e n engage to d r i n k t h o

p o r t e r b e n e a t h w i t h o u t t a k i n g u p a d r o p of w a t e r . You m u s t s u c k t h e beer w i t h a s t r a w . T h o w a t e r w i l l be f o u n d perfectly clear a t tho b o t t o m .

To pass a T u m b l e r

through a

Tablo.

Place yoursolf on the opposite side of tho table to tho spectators, h a v i n g spread, u n p q r c c i v c d , a handkerchief across y o u r knees. T a k e a t u m b l e r , w h i c h , h a v i n g cove r e d w i t h p a p e r , y o u w i l l m o l d as n e a t l y as p o s s i b l e t o t h e shape of t h o glass. W h i l e g i v i n g u t t e r a n c e t o some cabalistic words, drop tho glass i n t o y o u r handkerchief u n p e r c e i v c d , a n d as t h e p a p e r r e t a i n s i t s s h a p o , t h o lookers-on w i l l believe t h e t u m b l e r t o be s t i l l b e n e a t h i t . Passing tho glass w i t h tho left h a n d under the table, y o u n o w crush tho paper d o w n w i t h your right, w h e n the glass w i l l appear to have been sent t h r o u g h tho table.

H o w

to eat F i r e a n d b l o w with a Pair

of

it up i n your

Mouth

Bellows.

A n o i n t y o u r t o n g u e w i t h liquid storax, a n d y o u m a y p u t a p a i r of t o n g s r e d - h o t i n t o y o u r m o u t h w i t h o u t i n j u r i n g yourself, a n d lick t h e m t i l l they aro cold. B y the a s s i s t a n c e of t h i s o i n t m e n t , h a v i n g y o u r m o u t h p r e p a r e d i n t h i s m a n n e r , y o u m a y t a k e w o o d , coals, etc., o u t of t h e fire a n d cat t h e m w i t h o u t i n j u r y . D i p t h e m i n t o brims t o n e p o w d e r , , a n d t h e firo w i l l s e e m m o r e s t r a n g e ; b u t the s u l p h u r p u t s o u t t h e coal, a n d s h u t t i n g y o u r m o u t h close p u t s o u t t h e s u l p h u r ; t h e n y o u m a y c h u m p t h e coals i a n d s w a l l o w t h e m , w h i c h m a y be d o n e w i t h o u t h u r t i n g t h e b o d y ; a n d if y o u p u t a piece of l i g h t e d c h a r c o a l i n t o y o u r m o u t h , y o u m a y a l l o w a p a i r of b e l l o w s t o bo b l o w i n g i n y o u r m o u t h constantly, s h o w i n g , to t h o surprise of every beholder, tho appearance of a b u r n i n g furnace. Bo sure, after the performance, t o w e l l clean y o u r m o u t h , or i t w i l l cause s a l i v a t i o n .

To m a k o a L i v e F i s h j u m p off a

Plate.

I ' l a c e a l i v e flounder o n a s h e e t o f z i n c i n a p l a t e , a n d t o u c h h i s b a c k w i t h a piece of copper or s i l v e r w h i l s t t h e l a t t e r is t o u c h i n g t h e zinc. T h o e l e c t r i c i t y p r o d u c e d w i l l g e n e r a l l y c a u s e t h e f i s h t o t a k e a flying l e a p .

T h e Learned. S w a n , or Goose. To perform this trick you require a large earthenware h o w l , p a i n t e d o n t h e inside of t h e r i m w i t h t h e l e t t e r s o f the alphabet, or w i t h numbers. A s m a l l artificial s w a n is placed u p o n t h e w a t e r i n t h e center of t h i s b o w l , a n d a n y s p e c t a t o r is i n v i t e d to say w h i c h l e t t e r or w h i c h n u m b e r t h e b i r d shall s w i m to. U p o n the n u m b e r or l e t t e r being m e n t i o n e d , t h e t o y s w a n q u i t s i t s s t a t i o n i n t h o m i d d l e of t h o b o w l a n d s w i m s t o t h a t p a r t of t h e r i m o f t h e b o w l u p o n w h i c h t h e figure o r l e t t e r i s d r a w n ; o r i t w i l l g o r o u n d the b o w l f r o m letter to letter t i l l it has spelt out the n a m e of a n y person present. T h i s w i l l n o d o u b t astonish m a n y people, b u t t h e t r i c k is e a s i l y e x p l a i n e d . T h e s w a n b e i n g c u t o u t o f a piece o f c o r k has i n its b o d y a p i n o r n a i l of i r o n , a n d t h e m a g i c i a n h a s i n h i s h a n d — p e r h a p s c o n c e a l e d i n a p i e c e o f b r e a d as t h o u g h he w o u l d feed t h e b i r d — a p o w e r f u l m a g n e t . The h a n d c o n t a i n i n g t h e m a g n e t is b r o u g h t o v e r t h e l e t t e r or f i g u r e r e q u i r e d , a n d t h e b i r d n a t u r a l l y is a t t r a c t e d t o i t .

A

Capital Triek w i t h a

Watfih.

• T h i s t r i c k is excessively s i m p l e , b u t n o n e t h e less astonishing. _ To perform i t you must have a confederate among the audience, w h o has a double w a t c h pocket, c o n t a i n i n g t w o watches exactly alike i n every particular. I f they have a c r e s t o r a m o n o g r a m e n g r a v e d o n t h e b a c k o f e a c h , so m u c h t h e b e t t e r , f o r t h e a u d i e n c e w i l l be t h e m o r e t h o r o u g h l y deceived. Y o u m u s t also have a d u m m y w a t c h s i m i l a r i n appearance. I n p r e p a r i n g t h i s t r i c k pass r o u n d t o s e v e r a l of t h e

aud-

i e n c e a b o x t h a t h a s a { a l s o t o p i n s i d e so c o n t r i v e d t h a t w h e n t h e f a l s e c o v e r i s u p , a n d t h o b o x unlocked i t c a n n o t c o m e d o w n , a n d w h e n looked r e a d i l y f a l l s t o t h e b o t t o m . A s p r i n g a t t h e b a c k m u s t cause i t t o rise w h e n w a n t e d ; i n t h i s false t o p t h o d u m m y w a t c h is concealed. W h e n t h e box has been e x a m i n e d , w h i c h of course appears e m p t y , p l a c e i t o n a s t o o l a t o n e s i d e o f t h o p l a t f o r m , and lock i f . N o w aslc o n e of t h o s o m p a n y t o l e n d y o u a w a t c h ; l i e r e i s s u r o t o be a l i t t l e h e s i t a t i o n , a n d y o u r c o n f e d e r a t e m u s t b e t h e first t o o i l e r . A f t e r h a v i n g l o o k e d a t t h o w a t c h y o u pass i t to several of tho c o m p a n y , b e g g i n g t h e m to n o t i c e it particularly. Y o u now t u r n to your platform t a k i n g care n o t to go near y o u r confederate or the box, h o l d i n g t h e w a t c h b y t h o r i n g i n s u c h a m a n n e r t h a t a l l c a n bco i t . Y o u m a y n o w i n d u l g e i n a b i t of b a n t e r w i t h t h e o w n e r of the w a t c h , o p e n i n g i t a n d e x a m i n i n g i t a p p a r e n t l y v e r y attentively, saying: " A h , jeweled in four holes; no doubt t h i s w a t c h c o s t a t l e a s t t w o h u n d r e d a n d fifty d o l l a r s . Ah,

I see," (pretending to read an inscriplioninsUle

the cane).

" T h i s w a t c h w a s p r e s e n t e d t o y o u by a f r i e n d f o r a part i c u l a r service r e n d e r e d . W e l l , I s h o u l d be v e r y s o r r y t o d o a n y i n j u r y to t h i s w a t c h , b u t as I h a v e been u n f o r t u n a t e once or t w i c e i n p e r f o r m i n g t h i s t r i c k , a n d h a d t o pay rather heavily for it, perhaps I h a d better r e t u r n it a n d t r y o n e o f l e s s v a l u e . (Make a &tep or two towards

your confederate, and then appear lo have decided.) No, I ' l l c h a n c e i t . I s u p p o s e i f I f a i l t h i s t i m e a c h e c k f o r five h u n d r e d d o l l a r s w i l l s e t t l e t h e m a t t e r ? " (Your confeder-

ate should now shou'Jhat he repeals lending you the watch and beg you to return it, exhibiting as much nervous fear of your injuring his watch as possible ; and, when he finds you obdurate, threatenlo call a policeman to compel you to giveit tip.) I f t h i s b y - p l a y is w e l l c a r r i e d o u t , t h e a u d i e n c e w i l l b y t h i s t i m e be w r o u g h t u p t o a p i t c h o f g r e a t c u r i o s i t y ; a n d y o u m u s t t a k e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y w h i l e t h e i r eyes are m o s t l y t u r n e d to y o u r confederate t o pass the w a t c h u p y o u r sleeve b y a t t a c h i n g t o i t a h o o k f a s t e n e d t o a piece o f s t r o n g e l a s t i c , o n e e n d of w h i c h i s firmly s e w n u n d e r the arm, and the h o o k end placed near your wrist. Y o u n o w say, " I t is too late, s i r ; y o u r w a t c h h a s g o n e . I t w a s i n i n y h a n d safe a m o m e n t ago, b u t y o u h a v e m a d e

so m u c h noise t h a t y o u h a v e f r i g h t e n e d i t a w a y ; can y o u t e l l m e w h e r e i t is, f o r X h a v e n o t m o v e d f r o m t h i s s p o t ? W e l l , i f y o u c a n n o t , p e r h a p s I c a n . I w i l l sco w h e t h e r i t i s i n t h i s b o x . " ( U n l o c k the box and take out the dummy.) " H e r e is y o u r w a t c h , s i r ; i t has n o t g o n e f a r a w a y . " " T h a n k y o u , " says y o u r confederate, e a g e r l y r i s i n g a n d holding out his hand.for the watch. " D o n ' t be i m p a t i e n t , s i r ; I h a v e n o t d o n e w i t h i t y e t . J e r e m i a h (to your attendant), b r i n g m e t h o a n v i l a n d a hammer." T h i s h a v i n g been b r o u g h t , y o u p o u n d a w a y a t the w a t c h , t a k i n g caro t h a t t h o shivers of t h o b r o k e n glass aro heard, a n d w h e n the d u m m y is i n a n i n d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e mass, y o u p u t tho r e m n a n t s i n t o t h e b o x again, l o c k i t , press t h e s p r i n g t h a t causes t h e false t o p t o rise, a n d a s k y o u r confederate if he t h i n k s i t possible f o r t h a t w a t c h to be r e s t o r e d t o i t s o r i g i n a l f o r m . Y o u n o w t a k e t h o b o x a m o n g t h e a u d i e n c e , a n d unlocked, a s k h i m t o seo i f h i s w a t c h i s t h e r o . I f c o u r s e h o C a d s the box empty, a n d appears greatly distressed; y o u yourself p r e t e n d t o bo p u z z l e d , a n d express a f o a r t h a t y o u havo made a mistake, and return to your platform to scarch for it. A sudden idea strikes you, a n d y o u ask y o u r c o n f e d e r a t e : " A s i t flew o u t o f m y h a n d s so m y s teriously i n t o t h a t box, are y o u sure t h a t i t has n o t f l o w n q u i t e as m y s t e r i o u s l y o u t o f t h a t b o x i n t o y o u r w a t c h p o c k e t ?" Y o u r confederate n o w produces the duplicate w a t c h , a n d w i t h m a n y c o m p l i m e n t s o n y o u r cleverness, s h o w s i t to several a b o u t h i m t o convince t h e m t h a t i t is the same w a t c h t h a t they before examined.

The Decapitation

Trick.

T h e stage represents a catafalque h u n g w i t h black velv e t o r n a m e n t e d w i t h s i l v e r . I n t h e c e n t e r t h e r e is a l a r g o t a b l e w i t h a cover t h a t descends w i t h i n a f e w inches of the floor. T h e p r e s t i d i g i t a t o r p r e s e n t s t h e s u b j e c t w h o m h e Is t o

decapitate, lays h i m u p o n c u t s off h i s head a n d

the table, a n d

deposits it

F i g . 1.—THE t h e feet of

the subject at

t a k i n g a saber,

upon a plate lying

near

CATAFALQUE.

t h e end of the tabic.

Then the

spectators are i n v i t e d t o pass i n procession u p o n t h e s t a g e a n d to t o u c h the head in order to assure themselves t h a t i t is s t i l l l i v i n g .

Explanation.—Tho

t a b l e u p o n w h i c h t h e s u b j e c t lies is

p r o v i d e d w i t h a d o u b l e b o t t o m t h a t rests u p o n pegs f i x e d

F i g . 2.—THE DOUBLE BOTTOMED in the

f o u r legs.

In

this double

confederate, the make-up

bottom

of w h o s e

TABLE. is concealed

a

h e a d is s u c h as t o ro-

s e m b l e t h a t of t h e p e r s o n t o be d e c a p i t a t e d . A r e s e m b l a n c e is o b t a i n e d b y p r o v i d i n g t h e t w o p e r s o n s w i t h s i m i l a r false beards a n d eyebrows. T h e t a b l e is p r o v i d e d w i t h a t r a p i n t o w h i c h t h o s u b j e c t l o w e r s h i s head. T h e door of t h e t r a p t u r n s a n d a false head places itself a g a i n s t t h e shoulders. T h e operator conceals t h i s s u b s t i t u t i o n by p l a c i n g h i m s e l f b e t w e e n t h e s p e c t a t o r s a n d t h e s u b j e c t . T h e n h e t a k e s a s a b e r , passes i t b e t w e e n t h e s h o u l d e r s a n d t h e f a l s e h e a d (a p a r t o f w h i c h representing the divided neck remains near the s h o u l d e r s ) , a n d seizes t h e h e a d b y t h e h a i r i n o r d e r t o c a r r y i t to t h o p l a t e . I n c a r r y i n g i t he presses a b u t t o n t h a t has t h e effect of o p e n i n g a t u b e w h e n c e a r e d l i q u i d r e s e m b l i n g b l o o d escapes. I n depositing the head upon the plate the prestidigitator hides i t f r o m view. T h e confederate in the table opens a t r a p f o r m e d i n the b o t t o m o f t h e p l a t e , r e m o v e s t h e f a l s e h e a d a n d causes h i s o w n t o appear i n place of it.

F i g . 3.—AFTER THE DECAPITATION. T h e spectators defile along the r a i l i n g a n d m a y t o u c h t h e head i n o r d e r t o assure t h e m s e l v e s t h a t i t is l i v i n g , b u t t h e a r r a n g e m e n t of t h e r a i l i n g does n o t p e r m i t t h e m to touch the body.

HOW

TO

New

HO

THE

BLACK

Sliick Shake

ART.

25

Puzzle.

T h i s is s i m p l y c o n s t r u c t e d as f o l l o w s : T a k e a circular wooden or card box about 3 in. by 2

F i g . 1. ( f i g . 1). f n s i d c t h i s b o x fix a n o t h e r o f c a r d b o a r d , 3 4 of a n i n c h s q u a r e , 2 3-4 i n . l o n g ( f i g . 2). H a l f w a y u p fig. 2, a n d e x a c t l y o n o n e o f t h e a n g l e s ,

F i g . 2. b o r e a h o l e a b o u t 3-10 o f a n i n c h i n d i a m e t e r . T h o b o r e s h o u l d be p e r f e c t l y s m o o t h a n d c l e a r o n t h e i n s i d e . Take a piece of w i n e c o r k a b o u t a n i n c h l o n g , a n d w i t h a n ordin a r y c o r k c u t t e r c u t a h o l e a b o u t 3-10 d i a m e t e r t h r o u g h the center lengthways.

C u t a n o t c h i n o n e e n d o f t h e c o r k so t h a t i t m a y f i t o v e r the angle on the box ; then fix it l l r m l y over the hole i n

F i g . 3. t h e a n g l e o f t h o b o x , so t h a t t h e h o l e s i n t h e c o r k c o m m u n i c a t e (see d o t t e d l i n e , f i g . 4.) B e f o r e t h e c o r k is f i x e d , a p i e c e o f c l o t h , o r o t h e r s o f t m a t e r i a l , s h o u l d be g l u e d o v e r t h e o u t e r e n d of t h e c o r k , so as t o c o v e r t h e h o l e . F l a c e t h r e e o r d i n a r y s h o t i n fig. 3, a n d fix t h e c a r d e n d s p e r m a n e n t l y o n t h e b o x . F i g . 4 s h o w s fig. 3 fixed i n p l a c e . W i t h a b r a d a w l bore f o u r s m a l l holes a t equal distances a p a r t r o u n d t h e m i d d l e o f fig. 1. N o . 1 of t h o s e h o l e s s h o u l d be e x a c t l y i n a l i n e w i t h t h e o u t e r e n d of t h e c o r k , t h e o t h e r three holes are of no consequence.

F i g . 4. Paste a circular label, w i t h t h e w o r d s " S h i c k S h a k e " t h e r e o n , o n t h e t o p a n d b o t t o m of t l i e p u z z l e , a n d see t h a t

HOW

TO

DO

THE

BLACK

AUT.

i n e a c h case t h o l e t t e r I i n Shiclc comes e x a c t l y o v e r

27 the

F i g . G. No. 1holo referred to. open tho puzzle.

O f c o u r s e i t s h o u l d bo I m p o s s i b l e t o

limn to Use the Puzzle. Present one of t h o c o m p a n y w i t h tho puzzlo, and ask h i m t o shako i t w e l l w i t h o u t r a t t l i n g it, if he can. T h i s h e w i l l find i m p o s s i b l e ; t h e n o f f e r t o d o i t y o u r s e l f . As y o u t a k e t h e p u z z l e , g l a n c e a t t h o w o r d " S h l c k " a n d sco i n w h i c h d i r e c t i o n t h e l e t t e r I Is p o i n t i n g , a n d t h e n w i t h o u t l o o k i n g y o u w i l l e a s i l y bo a b l e t o f e e l t h o N o . 1 h o l e opposite. H o l d tho puzzlo behind your back for a mom e n t , so t h a t i t c a n n o t bo s e e n . K e e p the No. 1 hole d o w n w a r d s a n d shako quietly horiz o n t a l l y f r o m e n d t o end. T h i s w i l l cause t h o shots t o e n t e r t h e h o l e i n t h e c o r k , w h e r e t h e y r e m a i n s i l e n t . X'roduco t h o box a n d shako i t before the c o m p a n y , t a k i n g care, h o w e v e r , t o keep the N o . 1 hole s l i g h t l y d o w n w a r d s . W h e n passing i t to anyone, t i l t tho box s l i g h t l y so t h a t No. 1 hole comes u p w a r d s , a n d t h o r a t t l i n g w i l l a t once r e c o m m e n c e . N o . 1 i s o n l y a term, t h e h o l e s h o u l d n o t b o numbered.

Tricks

in

Prestidigitation.

Multiplication of Coins.—In p r e s t i d i g i t a t i o n , v e r y s i m p l e e x p e r i m e n t s , t h a t s e e m c h i l d i s h as s o o n as t h e s e c r e t o f t h e m Is k n o w n , o f t e n p r o d u c e q u i t e a n e f f e c t d u r i n g t h o performance a n d causo t h e spectators m o r e surprise t h a n d o m a n y s k i l l f u l a n d c o m p l i c a t e d t r i c k s . S u c h is t h o ease w i t h t h o o n o w e a r c a b o u t t o d e s c r i b e .

U p o n a s m a l l r e c t a n g u l a r t r a y of j a p a u n e i l sheet i r o n , s i m i l a r t o t h o s e i n c o m m o n use, a r e p l a c e d s e v e n c o i n s ( F i g . 1). A s p e c t a t o r i s a s k e d t o r e c e i v e t h e s e i n h i s h a n d a n d to p u t t h e c o i n s b a c k u p o n t h e t r a y , one by one, a n d t o c o u n t t h e m w i t h a l o u d v o i c e as he d o e s so. I t i s t h e n f o u n d t h a t the n u m b e r has doubled, there being fourteen i n s t e a d o f s e v e n . T h e s a m e o p e r a t i o n r e p e a t e d g i v e s as a result t w e n t y - o n e coins.

A

B

C

4

A s m a y be seen i n t h e s e c t i o n i n F i g . 3, t h e t r a y h a s a double bottom, f o r m i n g an interspace a l i t t l e wider t h a n t h e t h i c k n e s s o f o n e o f t h e c o i n s , a n d w h i c h is d i v i d e d

jiow

to

no

Tiin

black

art.

20

breadthwise i n t o t w o equal compartments by a partition, 13. T h e s e t w o c o m p a r t m e n t s a r a c l o s c d a l l a r o u n d , s a v e a t t h e e n d s of t h e t r a y , w h e r e t h e r e a r e . t w o a p e r t u r e s , A a n d C, t h a t i n l e n g t h a r e d o u b t e t h e d i a m e t e r o f t h e c o i n s . I n this Interspace are concealed f o u r t e e n coins, soveu o n each side. W h e n t h o c o n t e n t s of t h e t r a y aro e m p t i e d i n t o t h e h a n d of a spectator t h o coins concealed i n one of t h e c o m p a r t m e n t s d r o p a t t h o s a m e t i m e , ( F i g . 2). T h o o p e r ator then takes the tray i n his other h a n d a n d thus natur a l l y seizes i t a t t h e e n d a t w h i c h t h o n o w e m p t y c o m p a r t m e n t exists, a n d t h i s a l l o w s t h o seven coins t h a t aro cont a i n e d i n t h e o t h e r c o m p a r t m e n t t o j o i n t h e f i r s t ones, w h e n t h e l a t t e r are r a p i d l y e m p t i e d i n t o t h e h a n d s of t h o spectator f o r the second t i m e . A squaro tray, w i t h a double b o t t o m d i v i d e d i n t o f o u r compartments byjdivisions r u n n i n g diagonally f r o m one corner to another, w o u l d p e r m i t of increasing the n u m b e r of coins f o u r t i m e s . L e t us say, however, t h a t s k i l l f u l prestidigitators dispense w i t h t k e d o u b l e b o t t o m . T h o y h o l d t he coins sometimes under the tray w i t h their fingers extended, a n d sometimes on the tray, under their thumbs, and renew t h e i r s u p p l y several t i m e s f r o m secret pockets s k i l l f u l l y a r r a n g e d I n v a r i o u s p a r t s of t h e i r c o a t , w h e r e t h e s p e c t a tors are far f r o m suspecting the existence of t h e m .

The Wine and the Water,—After h a v i n g d o n e c o n s i d e r a b l e t a l k i n g , as r e q u i r e d b y h i s p r o f e s s i o n , a p r e s t i d i g i t a t o r is excusable f o r a s k i n g p e r m i s s i o n of h i s s p e c t a t o r s t o refresh h i m s e l f i n t h e i r presence, especially if h e i n v i t e s one of t h e m t o come t o keep h i m c o m p a n y . A n a s s i s t a n t t h e n b r i n g s i n u p o n a t r a y t w o c l a r e t glasses a n d t w o p e r f e c t l y t r a n s p a r e n t decanters, one of w h i c h contains red wine and the other water. Tho prestidigitat o r asks his guest t o select one of t h o t w o decanters a n d leave the o t h e r f o r h i m s e l f . N o h e s i t a t i o n is possible. T h e g u e s t h a s t e n s t o s e i z e t b o w i n o a n d e a c h i m m e d i a t e l y fills his glass. H o w a s t o n i s h i n g 1 U p o n i t s c o n t a c t w i t h t h o glass the w i n e changes i n t o w a t e r a n d the w a t e r becomes w i n e . J u d g e of t h e h i l a r i t y of t h e spectators a n d t h e amazement of the v i c t i m ! The pretsnded w i n e was nothi n g b u t the f o l l o w i n g composition: 1 g r a m m e permangan-

a t o of p o t a s h a n d 2 g r a m m e s s u l p h u r i c a c i d d i s s o l v e d i n 1 q u a r t o f w a t e r . T h i s l i q u i d is i n s t a n t a n e o u s l y decolorized o n e n t e r i n g t h o glass, a t t h e b o t t o m of w h i c h has been placed a f e w d r o p s of w a t e r s a t u r a t e d w i t h h y p o s u l p h i t e of soda. A s f o r t h e w a t e r i n t h e second d e c a n t e r , t h a t h a d had considerable alcohol added t o it, and a t t h e b o t t o m of t h o glass t h a t w a s t o receive i t h a d been p l a c e d a s m a l l p i n c h o f a n i l i n e r e d , w h i c h , as w e l l k n o w n , possesses s t r o n g t i n c t o r i a l p r o p e r t i e s . T h e glasses m u s t be c a r r i e d a w a y i m m e d i a t e l y , since i n a f e w i n s t a n t s t h e w i n e change d i n t o w a t e r loses i t s l i m p i d i t y a n d assumes a m i l k y appearance.

A

Scotch M o n e y

Box.

Tho accompanying figure represents a novel money box w h i c h a c o n t r i b u t o r t o La Nahirc c a m e a c r o s s i n E d i n b u r g h . T h o b o x