The Magician's Own Book, Or, The Whole Art Of Conjuring - free ebook by George Arnold

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The Magician's Own Book, Or, The Whole Art Of Conjuring

George Arnold

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THE MAGICIAN'S OWN BOOK, OR THE WHOLE ART OF CONJURING.

THE MAGICIAN'S OWN BOOK, OR THE WHOLE ART OF CONJURING.

BEING A COMPLETE HAND-BOOK OF PARLOR MAGIC, AND CONTAINING OVER ONE THOUSAND OPTICAL, CHEMICAL, MECHANICAL, MAGNETICAL, AND MAGICAL EXPERIMENTS, AMUSING TRANSMUTATIONS, ASTONISHING SLEIGHTS AND SUBTLETIES, CELEBRATED CARD DECEPTIONS, INGENIOUS TRICKS WITH NUMBERS, CURIOUS AND ENTERTAINING PUZZLES, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE MOST NOTED TRICKS OF MODERN PERFORMERS. THE WHOLE ILLUSTRATED WITH OVER 500 WOOD CUTS, AND INTENDED AS A SOURCE OF AMUSEMENT FOR ONE THOUSAND AND ONE EVENINGS. NEW YORK: DICK &amp

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PREFACE.

PREFACE.

The publishers of this interesting volume do not conceive that it requires an elaborate introduction to the reading public. Some brief remarks, however, may not be inappropriate as a preface to T HE M AGICIAN'S O WN B OOK , since the "black art," as in lessen lightened ages the practice of all these innocent and interesting feats was termed, is not yet as popularly understood in this country as it is abroad. There is a charm in legerdemain, or sleight of hand, that all, whether young or old, can

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SLEIGHT OF HAND.

SLEIGHT OF HAND.

It is my intention, in the following pages, to lay more stress upon those tricks which require no apparatus, than upon those for which special apparatus, or the assistance of a confederate, is required. No one is nearly so well pleased by a trick whose essence evidently lies in the machinery, while every one feels pleasure at seeing a sleight of hand trick neatly executed. For my own part, I despise all the numerous boxes, bottles, variegated covers, and other gimcracks which are generally seen

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AUDACITY.

AUDACITY.

I will give one or two tricks that depend on audacity for success. 10. THE CARD FOUND AT THE SECOND GUESS. Offer the cards to any one, and let him draw one. You then hold the cards behind your back, and tell him to place his card on the top. Pretend to make a great shuffling, but only turn that card with its back to the others, still keeping it at the top. Then hold up the cards with their faces towards the spectator, and ask him if the bottom card is his. While doing so, you inspect his card at

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TRICKS WITH CARDS, THAT REQUIRE APPARATUS.

TRICKS WITH CARDS, THAT REQUIRE APPARATUS.

I shall only give one or two of these tricks, because, in general, the apparatus required for cards is exceedingly expensive. Those that I shall give require but little apparatus, and any boy with the use of his hands can make it. 33. THE CARDS IN THE VASE. Make a vase with five divisions, two of which hold an entire pack of cards, and the remaining three are only large enough just to admit one card each, as in the figure. A strong silk thread is fastened at A , passes over the three little comp

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HINTS TO AMATEURS.

HINTS TO AMATEURS.

The following hints are of considerable importance to the amateur exhibitor. 1. Never acquaint the company beforehand with the particulars of the feat you are about to perform, as it will give them time to discover your mode of operation. 2. Endeavor, as much as possible, to acquire various methods of performing the same feat, in order that if you should be likely to fail in one, or have reason to believe that your operations are suspected, you may be prepared with another. 3. Never yield to the

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THE SECRET OF VENTRILOQUISM.

THE SECRET OF VENTRILOQUISM.

The main secret of this surprising art simply consists in first making a strong, deep inspiration, by which a considerable quantity of air is introduced into the lungs, to be afterwards acted upon by the flexible powers of the larynx, or cavity situated behind the tongue, and the trachea, or windpipe; thus prepared, the expiration should be slow and gradual. Any person, by practice, can, therefore, obtain more or less expertness in this exercise; in which, though not apparently, the voice is sti

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THE MAGIC OF CHEMISTRY.

THE MAGIC OF CHEMISTRY.

C HEMISTRY is one of the most attractive sciences. From the beginning to the end, the student is surprised and delighted with the developments of the exact discrimination, as well as the power and capacity, which are displayed in various forms of chemical action. Dissolve two substances in the same fluid, and then by evaporation, or otherwise, cause them to reassume a solid form, and each particle will unite with its own kind, to the entire exclusion of all others. Thus, if sulphate of copper an

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EXPERIMENTS IN ELECTRICITY.

EXPERIMENTS IN ELECTRICITY.

1.—Lay a watch down upon a table, and on its face balance a tobacco-pipe very carefully. Next take a wine-glass, rub it quickly with a silk handkerchief, and hold it for half a minute before the fire; then apply it near to the end of the pipe, and the latter, attracted by the electricity evolved by the friction and warmth in the former, will immediately follow it; and by carrying the glass around, always in front of the pipe, the latter will continue its rotatory motion; the watch-glass being th

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EXPERIMENTS IN GALVANISM.

EXPERIMENTS IN GALVANISM.

1. Place a thin plate of zinc upon the upper surface of the tongue, and a half dollar or a piece of silver on the under surface. Allow the metals to remain for a little time in contact with the tongue before they are made to touch each other, that the taste of the metals themselves may not be confounded with the sensation produced by their contact. When the edges of the metals, which project beyond the tongue, are then suffered to touch, a galvanic sensation is produced, which it is difficult ac

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EXPERIMENTS IN MAGNETISM.

EXPERIMENTS IN MAGNETISM.

1. We have said that the agency of the magnet can be imparted to hard metallic bodies; this may be done in a very easy way. If you pass a magnet (which may be either natural or artificial) over a sewing-needle several times from the eye to the point, the needle will acquire the principle, and attract iron filings in the same manner as a natural magnet would do. But the part of the magnet which you apply to the needle must be the north pole; and you must not pass it over the needle backward and f

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THE MAGIC OF PNEUMATICS AND AËROSTATICS.

THE MAGIC OF PNEUMATICS AND AËROSTATICS.

The branch of the physical sciences which relates to the air and its various phenomena is called Pneumatics. By it we learn many curious particulars. By it we find that the air has weight and pressure, color, density, elasticity, compressibility, and some other properties with which we shall endeavor to make the young reader acquainted by many pleasing experiments, earnestly impressing upon him to lose no opportunity of making physical science his study. To show that the air has weight and press

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THE MAGIC OF OPTICS AND OPTICAL AMUSEMENTS.

THE MAGIC OF OPTICS AND OPTICAL AMUSEMENTS.

Optics is the science of light and vision . Concerning the nature of light, two theories are at present very ably maintained by their respective advocates. One is termed the Newtonian theory, and the other the Huygenean. The Newtonian theory considers light to consist of inconceivably small bodies emanating from the sun, or any other luminous body. The Huygenean conceives it to consist in the undulations of a highly elastic and subtle fluid, propagated round luminous centers in spherical waves,

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TRICKS IN MECHANICS.

TRICKS IN MECHANICS.

"These are machinations comical."—F ORD . There is no subject of such importance as Mechanics, as its principles are founded upon the properties of matter and the laws of motion; and in knowing something of these, the tyro will lay the foundation of all substantial knowledge. The properties of matter are the following: Solidity (or Impenetrability), Divisibility, Mobility, Elasticity, Brittleness, Malleability, Ductility, and Tenacity. The laws of motion are as follow: 1. Every body continues in

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TRICKS IN HYDRAULICS.

TRICKS IN HYDRAULICS.

The science of Hydraulics comprehends the laws which regulate non-elastic fluids in motion, and especially water, &amp;c. Water can only be set in motion by two causes—the pressure of the atmosphere, or its own gravity. The principal law concerning fluids is, that they always preserve their own level. Hence water can be distributed over a town from any reservoir that is higher than the houses to be supplied; and the same principle will enable us to form fountains in a garden, or other place.

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TRICKS IN ACOUSTICS.

TRICKS IN ACOUSTICS.

Acoustics is the science relating to sound and hearing. Sound is heard when any shock or impulse is given to the air, or to any other body which is in contact directly or indirectly with the ear. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOUND AND NOISE. Noises are made by the cracks of whips, the beating of hammers, the creak of a file or saw, or the hubbub of a multitude. But when a bell is struck, the bow of a violin drawn across the strings, or the wetted finger turned round a musical glass, we have what are prope

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THE MAGIC OF NUMBERS

THE MAGIC OF NUMBERS

OR, CURIOUS PROBLEMS IN ARITHMETIC. As the principal object of this volume is to enable the young reader to learn something in his sports, and to understand what he is doing, we shall, before proceeding to the curious tricks and feats connected with the science of numbers, present him with some arithmetical aphorisms, upon which most of the following examples are founded. APHORISMS OF NUMBER. 1. If two even numbers be added together, or subtracted from each other, their sum or difference will be

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TRICKS IN GEOMETRY.

TRICKS IN GEOMETRY.

The word Geometry is derived from the Greek, and signifies the art of measuring land. The invention of it is ascribed by some to the Chaldeans and Babylonians, by others to the Egyptians, who were obliged to determine the boundaries of their fields after the inundation of the Nile, by geometrical measurements. According to Cassiodorus, the Egyptians either derived the art from the Babylonians, or invented it after it was known to them. Thales, a Phœnician, who died 548 years B.C. , and Pythagora

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PRACTICAL PARADOXES AND PUZZLES.

PRACTICAL PARADOXES AND PUZZLES.

Paradoxes and Puzzles, although by many persons looked upon as mere trifles, have, in numerous instances, cost their inventors considerable time, and exhibit a great degree of ingenuity. We can readily imagine that some of the complicated puzzles in the ensuing pages may have been originally constructed by captives, to pass away the hours of a long and dreary imprisonment; thus does the misery of a few frequently conduce to the amusement of many. We look upon a Paradox as a sort of superior ridd

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ANSWERS TO PRACTICAL PUZZLES.

ANSWERS TO PRACTICAL PUZZLES.

1. THE CHINESE CROSS ANSWER. Place Nos. 1 and 2 close together, as in Fig. 1; then hold them together with the finger and thumb of the left hand horizontally and with the square hole to the right. Push No. 3—placed in the same position facing you ( a ) in No. 4—through the opening at K, and slide it to the left at A, so that the profile of the pieces should be as in Fig. 2. Now push No. 4 partially through the space from below upwards, as seen in f, Fig. 2. Place No. 5 cross-ways upon the part Y

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THE MAGIC OF ART.

THE MAGIC OF ART.

An almost endless source of amusement, combining at the same time a considerable amount of instruction, may be obtained in the following manner. Take a card or piece of pasteboard, or even stiff paper, and draw upon it the form of an egg—an oval in outline. The dimensions of the oval are immaterial, and the experimenter may suit his own fancy in this respect. With a stout needle, or tracing point, prick quite through the outline, for the purposes of tracing. Some of our readers may be unacquaint

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SECRET WRITING.

SECRET WRITING.

The art of communicating secret information by means of writing, which is intended to be illegible except by the person for whom it is destined, is very ancient. The ancients sometimes shaved the head of a slave, and wrote upon the skin with some indelible coloring matter, and then sent him, after his hair had been grown again, to the place of his destination. This is not, however, properly secret writing, but only a concealment of writing. Another kind, which corresponds better with the name, i

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THE MAGIC OF STRENGTH.

THE MAGIC OF STRENGTH.

The mechanical knowledge of the ancients was principally theoretical; and though they seem to have executed some minor pieces of mechanism which were sufficient to delude the ignorant, yet there is no reason for believing that they have executed any machinery that was capable of exciting much surprise, either by its ingenuity or its magnitude. The properties of the mechanical powers, however, seem to have been successfully employed in performing feats of strength which were beyond the reach even

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MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS

CURIOUS TRICKS AND FANCIES. AN ARTIFICIAL MEMORY. The reader must have observed, that to perform several of the recreations in this book, it is necessary to have a good memory; but as that is a gift every one has not from nature, many methods have been contrived to supply that defect by art—the most material of which we shall here describe. An artificial memory respects either figures or words; for the former, let the five vowels, a, e, i, o, u, represent the first five digits; the diphthongs th

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INQUIRE WITHIN

INQUIRE WITHIN

It is no collection of ancient sayings and receipts , but the whole are fresh and new , and suited to the present times . As a book to keep in the family for reference, it is unequaled, comprising as it does all kinds of Books of Information in a single volume . Send cash orders to DICK &amp; FITZGERALD, No. 18 Ann Street, N. Y. These useful works will, when completed, supply all the "Reasons" which the human mind has discovered for the varied and interesting phenomena of Nature; and for

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10,000 WONDERFUL THINGS.

10,000 WONDERFUL THINGS.

Comprising the Marvellous and Rare, Odd, Curious, Quaint, Eccentric and Extraordinary, in all Ages and Nations, in Art, Nature and Science, including many Wonders of the World, enriched with Hundreds of Authentic Illustrations. EDITED BY EDMUND FILLINGHAM KING, M. A., AUTHOR OF "LIFE OF NEWTON," &amp;c. 12mo, Cloth, Gilt Side and Back. Price One Dollar. In the present work, interesting scenes from Nature, curiosities of art, costume, and customs of a bygone period, rather predominate; but we

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The Reason Why: GENERAL SCIENCE.

The Reason Why: GENERAL SCIENCE.

EXAMPLE. This volume answers 1,325 similar questions. "T HE R EASON W HY " is a handsome 12mo volume, of 350 pages, printed on fine paper, bound in cloth, gilt, and embellished with a large number of Wood Cuts, illustrating the various subjects treated of. PRICE ONE DOLLAR. Copies Mailed to any address in the United States or Canada, free of postage....

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Live and Learn;

Live and Learn;

A GUIDE TO ALL WHO WISH TO SPEAK AND WRITE CORRECTLY. Particularly intended as a book of reference for the solution of difficulties connected with Grammar, Composition, Punctuation, &amp;c., with explanations of Latin and French words and phrases of frequent occurrence in newspapers, reviews, periodicals, and books in general; containing examples of ONE THOUSAND MISTAKES Of daily occurrence in Speaking, Writing, and Pronunciation, together with detailed Instructions for Writing for the Press

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The Secret Out; OR, 1,000 TRICKS WITH CARDS AND OTHER RECREATIONS.

The Secret Out; OR, 1,000 TRICKS WITH CARDS AND OTHER RECREATIONS.

ILLUSTRATED WITH OVER 300 ENGRAVINGS. And containing clear and comprehensive explanations how to perform with ease all the Curious Card Deceptions and Sleight-of-Hand Tricks extant. With an endless variety of Entertaining Experiments in Drawing-Room, or White Magic, including the celebrated Science of Second Sight. Together with a choice collection of Intricate and Puzzling Questions. Amusements in Chance, Natural Magic, etc., etc., etc. By the Author of "The Sociable," "The Magician's Own Book,

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The Magician's Own Book OR, THE WHOLE ART OF CONJURING.

The Magician's Own Book OR, THE WHOLE ART OF CONJURING.

Being a Complete Hand-Book of Parlor Magic, containing over One Thousand Optical, Chemical, Mechanical, Magnetical, and Magical Experiments, Amusing Transmutations, Astonishing Sleights and Subtleties, Celebrated Card Deceptions, Ingenious Tricks with Numbers, Curious and Entertaining Puzzles—together with all the most Noted Tricks of Modern Performers. The whole Illustrated with over 500 Wood Cuts, And intended as a source of Amusement for ONE THOUSAND AND ONE EVENINGS. 12mo, cloth, 400 pages,

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THE SOCIABLE; OR, One Thousand and One Home Amusements.

THE SOCIABLE; OR, One Thousand and One Home Amusements.

AMUSEMENTS OF HOME, PARLOR THEATRICALS AND TABLEAUX VIVANTS, Which were PREPARED EXPRESSLY FOR THIS WORK . Everything in the book is superior of its kind—the greatest care hiving been taken to exclude everything that was not above the standard of mediocrity in interest and ingenuity. It is THE ONLY BOOK OF THIS KIND Ever Published in America, And as it will be invaluable to Families, Schools, Social Clubs, etc., as a book of reference on all matters of Amusement and Recreation, there must be a s

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The Perfect Gentleman;

The Perfect Gentleman;

Or, ETIQUETTE AND ELOQUENCE. A Book of Information and Instruction for those who desire to become Brilliant or Conspicuous in General Society, or at Parties, Dinners or Popular Gatherings, &amp;c. A handsome volume of 335 pages, beautifully bound and gilt. Price $1 00. This is not only a valuable book of reference, but it contains minute Instructions for Gentlemen in all those modern accomplishments which have become almost a necessity in this age of refinement. It gives directions how to us

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Art of Dancing without a Master;

Art of Dancing without a Master;

TO WHICH IS ADDED Hints on Etiquette; also, The Figures, Music and Necessary Instruction for the Performance of the most Modern and Improved Dances. By EDWARD FERRERO, Professor of Dancing at West Point. By the aid of which any one can attain a knowledge of the Art of Dancing without a Master. This work also contains ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE PAGES OF THE CHOICEST MUSIC, Arranged for the Piano Forte by the most celebrated Professors. The whole forming the most valuable and useful melange for the cent

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SONGS OF IRELAND.

SONGS OF IRELAND.

Embracing Songs of the Affections, Convivial and Comic Songs, Patriotic and Military Songs, Historical and Political Songs, Moral, Sentimental, Satirical, and Miscellaneous Songs. Edited and Annotated by SAMUEL LOVER, Esq., Author of "Handy Andy," "Rory O'More," "Legends and Stories of Ireland," &amp;c. Embellished with numerous fine Illustrations, engraved by the celebrated Dalziel. 12mo, Cloth, Gilt Side and Back. Price $1 25. Copies of the above Books sent to any address in the United Sta

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Miscellaneous Books.

Miscellaneous Books.

Containing a large collection of the most valuable information relative to the Art of Letter-Writing, with clear and complete instructions how to begin and end Correspondence, Rules for Punctuation and Spelling, &amp;c., together with numerous examples of Letters and Notes on every subject of Epistolary intercourse, with several Important Hints on Love Letters. The Laws of Love. A Complete Code of Gallantry. 12mo. Paper, price 25 Containing concise rules for the conduct of Courtship throug

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The Harp of a Thousand Strings

The Harp of a Thousand Strings

OR, LAUGHTER FOR A LIFETIME. And peculiarly prepared to produce prolific PEALS OF LAUGHTER. The very quintessence of HUMAN WIT, WAGGERY and WISDOM. 400 Pages of the most Mirth-Provoking Literature ever printed. It contains more than a Million Laughs, and is Illustrated with 200 Comic Cuts. The pictures are all original, designed by some of our best artists (including Darley), and the collection of droll conceits and queer stories is unsurpassed, having been several years in preparation. Large 12

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THE BOOK OF One Thousand Comical Stories

THE BOOK OF One Thousand Comical Stories

Or, ENDLESS REPAST OF FUN. A rich Banquet for Every Day in the Year, with several courses and a dessert. BILL OF FARE: Comprising Tales of Humor, Laughable Anecdotes, Irresistible Drolleries, Jovial Jokes, Comical Conceits, Puns and Pickings, Quibbles and Queries, Bon Mots and Broadgrins, Oddities, Epigrams, &amp;c., &amp;c. Merry Songs for Merry Moments; Conundrums for the Million; an inexhaustible store of Nuts to Crack, and Sports and Pastimes for all Seasons—forming a Welcome Guest f

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Transcriber notes:

Transcriber notes:

p. vi . 'Cumbustion without Flame,' changed 'Cumbustion' to 'Combustion'. P. 18 . 'diaphonous' changed to 'diaphanous' as in 'diaphanous bodies'. P. 29 . 'here it' changed to 'here is'. P. 32 . 'the stall' changed to 'the stalk.'. P. 38 . 'the performed', changed 'performed' to 'performer'. P. 61 . 'Several t icks', should read 'Several tricks', fixed. P. 74 . 'convinience' changed to 'convenience'. P. 76 . 'supicion' changed to 'suspicion'. P. 93 . 'the smooth', changed 'the' to 'them'. P. 94 .

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