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PHYSICAL AMUSEMENTS AND DIVERTING EXPERIMENTS.
PHYSICAL AMUSEMENTS AND DIVERTING EXPERIMENTS.
COMPOSED AND PERFORMED IN DIFFERENT CAPITALS OF EUROPE, AND IN LONDON. By Signor GIUSEPPE PINETTI, DE WILDALLE, KNIGHT OF THE GERMAN ORDER OF MERIT OF ST. PHILIP, PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS AND NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, PENSIONED BY THE COURT OF PRUSSIA, PATRONIZED BY ALL THE ROYAL FAMILY OF FRANCE, AGGREGATE OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND BELLES LETTRES OF BORDEAUX, &C. LONDON: PRINTED IN THE YEAR M DCC LXXXIV....
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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
The honour of performing several physical amusements before their Britannic Majesties and the Royal Family, was an event that flattered my ambition in the highest degree. To obtain their suffrages, and those of that part of this enlightened nation, before which I have repeated the same experiments and amusements at the Theatre Royal, Hay-Market, was the summit of my wishes. Having obtained these two desirable ends, I blessed the moments I had devoted to the study of natural philosophy and mathem
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CHAP. I.
CHAP. I.
Curious Method of restoring to Life, in two Minutes, a Fly that has been drowned even twenty-four Hours. This wonderful experiment, like many others, is produced by a very simple cause. Take a fly, put it in a glass or cup full of water; cover it so as to deprive the fly of air; when you perceive it to be quite motionless, you may take it out and put it on a place exposed to the sun, and cover it with salt: in two minutes it will revive and fly away....
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CHAP. II.
CHAP. II.
To make a Colour that will appear or disappear by Means of the Air. Take a smelling-bottle; put in it some alkali volatile, in which you have dissolved some copper filings: this will produce a blue colour. Present then the smelling-bottle to one of the company, desiring him to stop it; and, to their great astonishment, the colour will disappear as soon as the smelling-bottle is stopped: you will make it easily re-appear by taking off the cork, which will be not less surprising....
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CHAP. III.
CHAP. III.
A Method of drawing a deformed Figure, which will appear well proportioned from a certain Point of View. Draw any thing you may fancy on a thin white pasteboard; then prick it; afterwards put the same on an horizontal surface, which we will suppose to be another pasteboard. Put a lighted candle behind that drawing, and draw on the horizontal surface the lines given by the light: this will give a deformed design. This being done, take away the drawing that was pricked and the candle; then place y
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CHAP. IV.
CHAP. IV.
To change the Colour of a Rose. Nothing more is wanting to change the colour of a rose, whether it is on its stalk or not, but to burn some sulphur under it; which will make it turn white, and it will not regain its primitive colour in less than two hours....
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CHAP. V.
CHAP. V.
To render hideous the Faces of all the Company. Dissolve some salt and saffron in some spirits of wine; dip a little tow in it and set fire to it. At this light, those who are of a fair complexion will appear green, and the red of the lips and cheeks turn to a deep olive colour....
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CHAP. VI.
CHAP. VI.
Method of Engraving in Relief on the Shell of a new-laid Egg. Chuse an egg that has a thick shell; wash it well in fresh water; then dry it very carefully with a linen cloth; this being done, put some tallow or fat in a silver spoon; then hold it on the fire; when the fat is melted and very hot, it will serve instead of ink for drawing with a new pen whatever you like. This being finished, you are to take the egg by the two ends between two fingers, and then lay it gently in a tumbler filled wit
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CHAP. VII.
CHAP. VII.
How to shoot a Swallow flying, with a Gun loaded with Powder, as usual; and after, to find Means to bring it to life again. Load your gun with the usual charge of powder, but instead of shot put half a charge of quicksilver; prime and shoot: if your piece bears ever so little near the bird, as it is not necessary to touch it, the swallow will find itself stunned and benumbed to such a degree, as to fall to the ground in a fit. As it will regain its senses in a few minutes, you may make use of th
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CHAP. VIII.
CHAP. VIII.
To make a Calve’s Head bellow as if alive, when dressed and served up. This is effected by a simple and innocent stratagem; it consists in what follows: take a frog that is alive, and put it at the farther end of the calve’s head, under the tongue, which you will let fall over it; taking care not to put the frog there till the calve’s head is going to be served up. The heat of the tongue will make the frog croak; which sound, coming from the hollow part of the head, will imitate the bellowing of
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OPERATION.
OPERATION.
Cast up the first of these sums in the following manner, and say, 5 and 1 make 6; 3 more, 9; 4 more, 13; 1 more, 14; 2 more, 16; and 2 more, 18: set down——18. Make the addition of the second sum in the same manner as you have done the first, and you will find the same sum of——18. Then proceed for the third as in the two preceding, and the product will be also——18. Here then is my division made, and each person will have only 18, as I have proved by the foregoing example. By this we see, that not
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CHAP. X.
CHAP. X.
How to dispose two little Figures, so that one shall light a Candle, and the other put it out. Take two little figures of wood or clay, or any other materials you please, only taking care that there is a little hole at the mouth of each. Put in the mouth of one a few grains of bruised gunpowder, and a little bit of phosphorus in the mouth of the other; taking care that these preparations are made before hand. Then take a lighted wax candle and present it to the mouth of the figure with the gunpo
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CHAP. XI.
CHAP. XI.
A curious Secret to make a Card pass from one Hand into the other. Take two deuces, the one of spades, the other of hearts; then put on that of spades the marks of hearts, and on that of hearts, those of spades; which you will do easily, by splitting a card of each colour, which you are to cut out with dexterity, in order that the mark may be very neat: then rub lightly on the back of the spades and hearts that you have cut, a little soap, or very white pomatum; then put the mark of hearts on th
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EXAMPLE.
EXAMPLE.
In the supposition that the person who thinks of the card will stop at number 13, and that thirteenth card is the queen of hearts. Supposing again that the number you have marked or designed before-hand is number 24; you will return in the room in case you had left it; or desire the handkerchief, to be taken off, if you have been blind-folded; and, without asking any question of the person who has thought of the card, ask only for the pack, and apply it to your nose as if to smell it; then passi
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EXAMPLE.
EXAMPLE.
The pack having been shuffled by one or more persons, make it be cut by as many persons as you think proper. Then desire one of the company to form the parcels of cards, all which must contain thirteen each, beginning by the first card he takes up. In the supposition then that this eighth parcel begins by a ten, or court card, which is the same, there would remain no cards, and you would have eight parcels. If it began by any other card, not adapted to make out thirteen, there would remain four
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CHAP. XV.
CHAP. XV.
To guess the Thoughts of any Person, assuring him, that you will write before-hand on a piece of Paper the Amount of the Parcel of Cards he shall happen to chuse out of the two placed on the Table. Take some cards, divide them into two parcels, taking care that in one there are only two or three sevens, and in the other seven court cards; call for a pen and ink, and write on a bit of paper the sevens; then turn the bit of paper down, that what you have written may not be seen; then tell the pers
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CHAP. XVI.
CHAP. XVI.
A curious and agreeable Wager, which you are sure of winning. Address some person in the company, and say, Madam, or Sir, have you a watch, a ring, an etwee, or any other trinket? Begin by examining what has been given you, in order to form an idea of its value, since you are to lay your bet considerably under the intrinsic value of the trinket, to avoid being duped. Suppose what has been offered to you is a watch, you are to propose a guinea as a wager against it; saying to the lady or gentlema
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CHAP. XVII.
CHAP. XVII.
A trick with cards; uniting the double Advantage of being very easy and infallible, it being on a little numerical Combination. Desire some person in the company to chuse, at his will, three cards out of a piquet pack, observing to him, that the ace is to be counted for 11 points, the court cards 10, and the other cards according to the points they mark. When he has made his choice, desire him to lay on the table his three cards separately, and to put upon each parcel as many cards as wanting to
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CHAP. XVIII.
CHAP. XVIII.
Sympathetic Inks. These kinds of inks are very curious, and may serve for a great number of physical recreations, very surprising to such as are not acquainted with the manner of preparing them. One kind, very easy, is made by taking an ounce of common aqua fortis, which you are to mix with three ounces of common water; you will use this mixture to write on paper that is strong and very stiff: this writing becomes totally invisible in drying; and in order to make it reappear, you need only wet t
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EXAMPLE.
EXAMPLE.
The first figure being 2, you must set 7; the second being 9, (which completes the number wanted) you must set a cypher (0); the third being the same, operate as before; the fourth being 7, set down 2; the fifth being 1, set down 8. The second row beginning by 1, your first figure will be 8; the second number being 4, set down 5; the third being 5, put down 4; the fourth being 6, you must set down 3; the fifth being 3, set down 6. As the third row begins by 7, begin yours by 2; under the 6 lay 3
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CHAP. XX.
CHAP. XX.
An artificial Spider, which moves by Electricity. Take a bit of burnt cork, as big as a pea; give it the shape of a spider; make its legs with threads of hemp; put a grain of lead in the cork to give it some weight; then hang this artificial spider by a bit of grey sewing silk (that is not twisted) between two bodies, the one electrified and the other not; or between two bodies endowed with different electricities: it will go and come between these two bodies, and the movement of the legs will b
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CHAP. XXI.
CHAP. XXI.
To extinguish two Wax Candles, and light two others, distant about three Feet, by the firing of a Pistol, loaded with Powder, as usual. Nothing is more simple than the operation which produces this supernatural effect. 1st. Get some whole wax candles, and let them be recently snuffed. 2d. You are to put in the middle of the wick of those candles to be lighted, about the size of a millet grain of phosphorus; to do which, divide the wick with a pin or a tooth-pick; then place yourself at five or s
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Preparation of the Liquor.
Preparation of the Liquor.
Cut in very small chips a piece of Fernambuco wood; put them in a large glass full of good white wine vinegar; add to it a bit of common white allum, of the size of a small nut; make the whole simmer over a gentle fire for half an hour, in a new earthen pot or pipkin; taking care to stir this composition, in order to prevent it from boiling over while on the fire. When it is taken from the fire, let it cool, and strain it through a piece of linen; then pour it into a bottle of clear glass. You m
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CHAP. XXIII.
CHAP. XXIII.
To extinguish a wax Candle at eighty or a hundred Paces distance, by firing a Gun loaded with Ball, and to be certain of not missing, however unskilful may be the Marksman. This experiment may be easily tried in the country, and even in town, in a garden that is rather large: the best marksman may be challenged, and undoubtedly worsted. Load a gun with a common charge of powder, and a leaden ball. Your opponent will do the same on his side; then let him fire first, that you may see him miss his
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CHAP. XXIV.
CHAP. XXIV.
To cut a Glass, a Looking-glass, or even a Piece of Crystal, let it be ever so thick, without the Help of a Diamond, in the same Shape as the Mark of the Drawing made on it with Ink. This remarkable operation unites utility with amusement. For being in the country, or in a place where there is no glazier nor glassman to be had, the following means will answer the purpose without their help. Take a bit of a walnut-tree, about the thickness of a candle, and cut one of its ends to a point; put that
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Another Method of melting Steel, and to see it liquify.
Another Method of melting Steel, and to see it liquify.
Make a piece of steel quite red in the fire; then holding it with a pair of pincers or tongs, take in the other hand a stick of brimstone, and touch the piece of steel with it: immediately after their contact, you will see the steel melt and drop like a liquid....
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CHAP. XXVI.
CHAP. XXVI.
To unite Wax and Water (Things absolutely opposite to each other); this Union made in the twentieth Part of a Minute, forms a good Pomatum to clean the Skin, and render it soft and white. It is a fine Cosmetic. In order to make this mixture, (useful for many things) put in a glazed earthen pot quite new, six ounces of spring or river water, to two ounces of good white virgin wax; add to this a good pinch of salt of tartar. If you wish to conceal your operation, nothing is easier: make a little r
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CHAP. XXVII.
CHAP. XXVII.
A curious Method of sealing a Letter, so as not to be opened, by variegating the Seal with different coloured Species of Wax. Suppose you wish to have your seal of four colours, and that the cartrage of the escutcheon be yellow or or , as well as the crown; the field of the shield or escutcheon, red or gules ; the seal itself green or synople , and the supporters, if any, black or sable . Take off then as many different impressions of your seal as you have kinds of wax to employ, taking care to
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CHAP. XXVIII.
CHAP. XXVIII.
To make fine blue Wax, which is very difficult to be had. Take an ounce of mountain blue, or blue ashes, an ounce of fine mastic, the fifth of an ounce of true Venice turpentine; then get a small iron pot or pan, well cleaned, and made so as to have a little spout or beak; put the mastic in it first, which is to be melted on the fire, taking care that it does not burn; then mix the turpentine with it: this mixture being done, take the pan from the fire and put the blue ashes in it; then stir it
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CHAP. XXIX.
CHAP. XXIX.
A philosophical Mushroom. Among the numerous and surprising phenomenons produced by different chymical proceedings, one of the most curious is certainly that of the inflammation of essential oils, by the mixture of nitrous acid. It is certainly astonishing to see a cold liquor take fire on pouring another cold liquor on it; such are the means by which one may form in three minutes the mushroom, called the philosophical mushroom. In order to make this extraordinary and entertaining experiment, yo
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CHAP. XXX.
CHAP. XXX.
To make a Ring shift from one Hand to another, and to make it go on whatever Finger is required on the other Hand, while somebody holds both your Arms, in order to prevent any Communication between them. Desire some person in the company to lend you a gold ring, recommending him at the same time to make a mark on it that he may know it again. Have a gold ring of your own, which you are to fasten by a small cat-gut string to a watch barrel, which must be sown to the left sleeve of your coat. Take
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EXAMPLE.
EXAMPLE.
Suppose the three sums proposed to be the following: Proposed sums: 315423, 132354, and 252144 Suppose likewise that the figure which has been struck out is the 6, the remaining ones will form a sum of 92,478. As you let the person who has done the multiplication set down the figures in the order he pleases, suppose also that he sets them down thus, on the piece of paper he gives you, 79,482. When you pretend to smell the paper, add together in your mind the figures presented to you, in order to
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EXAMPLE.
EXAMPLE.
In the supposition that the sum set down is the following: 789,788 Add in your mind thus: 7 and 8 are 15, and 9, 24; and 7, 31; and 8, 39; and 8 more, 47: in 47 there is 5 times 9, as 9 times 5 make 45; there remains 2, therefore in order to complete 9, 7 are to be added; consequently the sum to be multiplied will be 7,897,887. Then give this sum, which has been increased by a 7, to the person who has presented it to you: and tell him to chuse whatever multiplier he pleases; then retire while he
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CHAP. XXXII.
CHAP. XXXII.
To make any Pen-knife out of three jump out of a Goblet, agreeable to the Option of the Company. Take a silver goblet, as, on account of its opacity, it will hide the means you will employ to make the pen-knife jump out at the desire of the assembly. This operation consists in a small spring, about an inch broad, by two inches and a quarter long. You are to take care to subject or bend this spring before you begin the trick with a little bit of sugar, which being compressed between the two ends
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CHAP. XXXIII.
CHAP. XXXIII.
To pull off any Person’s Shirt, without undressing him, or having Occasion for a Confederate. This trick requires only dexterity; and nevertheless, when I performed it at the Theatre-Royal in the Hay-Market, every body imagined that the person whom I had tricked out of his shirt was in a confederacy with me. The means of performing this trick are the following; only observing that the cloaths of the person whose shirt is to be pulled off be wide and easy. Begin by making him pull off his stock,
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