Chapter XVII: Stage Tricks

The Tables in use in Stage Tricks 437

The “Plain” Trap 437

The “Wrist” or “Pressure” Trap 438

The “Rabbit” or “Dove” Trap 441

“Changing” Traps 442

The “Money” Trap 445

“Pistons” (for working mechanical apparatus) 447

“Bellows” Tables 449

The Rabbit Trick 452

The Fairy Star 454

The Card Bouquet 457

The Demon’s Head 458

The Magic Picture Frame 463

The Flying Watches and the Broken Plate 465

The Magic Picture and the Chosen Cards 467

The Magic Portfolio 468

The Glove Column 469

The Vanishing Pocket-handkerchief, found in a Candle 470

The Sphinx 471

The Cabinet of Proteus 475

The Indian Basket Trick 477

Electrical Tricks 480

The Light and Heavy Chest 482

Spirit-Rapping 485

The Magic Bell 486

The Crystal Cash Box 487

The Magic Drum 492

The Aërial Suspension 495

CHAPTER XVIII.

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS.

Hints as to Working up Tricks 502

Arrangement of Programme 505

Stage Arrangements 508

Parting Counsels 510

APPENDIX.

CHAPTER I.

Introductory 515

CHAPTER II.

KEMPELEN.

Kempelen’s Speaking Figure 522

Its Construction 523

Houdin 524

His Talking Figure 524

The Magic Harlequin and its Construction 524

The Magic Clock 526

The Performing Clown 526

The Cook of the Palais Royal 526

The Orange and Rose Trees 527

Electric Bell and Drum 528

Suspension in the Air 528

CHAPTER III.

THEODIN.

Theodin 530

Robin and Anderson 530

The Magic Windmill 530

Anderson’s Old Man 531

Col. Stodare’s Living Head 531

Pepper and Tobin 532

Proteus; or, We’re Here and Not Here 532

Fatima 534

CHAPTER IV.

AUTOMATA: PSYCHO.

Automaton of Messrs. Maskelyne and Cooke 536

Psycho and its Imitators 536

Zoe 539

Fanfare 540

CHAPTER V.

MARIONETTES.

Taking a Man to Pieces 542

The Living Marionettes 543

CHAPTER VI.

CLAIRVOYANCE.

Clairvoyance, or Second Sight 545

The Clairvoyance of the Superstitious Ages and the Clairvoyance
of the Day 546

Questions and Answers 547

The Reading of Concealed Writing 549

The Addition of Unseen Figures 550

CHAPTER VII.

SPIRITUALISM.

Spiritualism 551

Mediums and their Pretences 552

Their Tests 552

Various Tying Tests 552

The Sealed Accordion 553

Floating in the Air 554

Floating Tambourines, Guitars, etc. 555

The Spiritual Musical Box 555

Writing on the Ceiling 556

Invisible Writing 556

The Floating Table, etc. 557

CHAPTER VIII.

PARLOR MAGIC.

Parlor Magic 558

A Surprise 559

Indian Sand Trick 559

The “Q” Trick 560

The Bleeding Thumb 560

The Marked Florin in Oranges 560

The Chinese Pictures 561

Bautier’s Great Ink-and-Water Trick 562

Carrying Fire in the Hands 563

MODERN MAGIC.

CHAPTER I.