Hocus Pocus Junior: The Anatomie Of Legerdemain - free ebook by Unknown

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Hocus Pocus Junior: The Anatomie Of Legerdemain

Unknown

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HOCVS POCVS IVNIOR.

HOCVS POCVS IVNIOR.

OR , The Art of Iugling set forth in his proper colours, fully, plainly, and exactly, so that an ignorant person may thereby learn the full perfection of the same, after a little practise. Vnto each Tricke is added the figure, where it is needfull for instruction. The second Edition, with many additions. Prestat nihili quam nihil facere. LONDO N , Printed by T. H. for R. M. 1635 ....

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To the Reader.

To the Reader.

C C Ourteous Reader, doe you not wonder? if you doe not, well you may, to see so slight a Pamphlet so quickly spent; but lightly come, and lightly goe; it's a Iuglers terme, and it well befits the subiect. Would you know whence it first came? why, from Bartholomew Fayre: would you know whither it's bent? for the Fayre againe; it's a stragler, a wanderer, and as I said, as it lightly comes, so it lightly goes; for it meanes to see not onely Bartholomew Fayre, but all the Fayres in the Kingdome al

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The originall of Legerdemaine, and how it came first into this Kingdome.

The originall of Legerdemaine, and how it came first into this Kingdome.

I I T came first into the Kingdome by certain Ægyptians, that were transported hither, who growing to numerous multitudes, dispersed themselues thorow most parts of the Kingdome: who being most expert in this art, and in Palmestrie, cousened the people in all parts wheresoeuer they came. Now diuers vagrant English joyning with them in time learnt both their language and cousening delusions, whereby at length they were discovered, and thereupon the next ensuing Parliament, there was a statute ena

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The Definition of the Art of Legerdemain, with its principall parts.

The Definition of the Art of Legerdemain, with its principall parts.

L Egerdemaine is an operation, whereby one may seeme to worke wonderfull, impossible, and incredible things by agility, nimblenesse, and slightnesse of hand. The parts of this Art are principally two. The first is in the conveyance of Balls, Cards, Dice, Money, &amp;c. The second is in Confederacie....

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The end of the Art of Legerdemaine.

The end of the Art of Legerdemaine.

T He end of this Art is either good or bad, accordingly as it is used: Good, and lawfull when it is used at Festivals, and merry meetings to procure mirth: especially if it be done without desire of estimation above what we are. Bad, and altogether unlawfull when it is used on purpose, to cozen, deceive, or for vaine glory to esteemed above what is meet and honest....

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The Definition, or description of the Operator.

The Definition, or description of the Operator.

F Irst, hee must be one of an impudent and audacious spirit, so that hee may set a good face upon the matter. Secondly, he must have a nimble and cleanly conveance. Thirdly, he must have strange termes, and emphaticall words, to grace and adorne his actions, and the more to astonish the beholders. Fourthly, and lastly, such gesture of body as may leade away the spectators eyes from a strict and diligent beholding his manner of conveyance....

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Of the Play of the Balls.

Of the Play of the Balls.

T He Operator thus qualified must have his Implements of purpose to play withall: and first he must have three Cups, made of brasse, or Crooked lane plate: These Cups must be all of one sise, and the bottome of each of them must bee set a little within the cup; marke the following figure, for thereby they are truely represented, both in forme and bignesse: it is noted with the letter B. Also he must have foure Bals, made of Corke about the bignesse of small Nutmegs. First, he must practise to ho

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How to make a great Ball seeme to come through a Table into a Cup.

How to make a great Ball seeme to come through a Table into a Cup.

S Et one of your cups upon a Table, and take a good big stoole-ball out of your pocket, and say, clapping your hand with the ball in it under the Table, My masters would you not think it a pretty trick that I should make this ball come thorow the table into the cup: Then some one or other will take up the cup to see if it be so; then holding the ball betweene your two middle fingers of your right hand, stare him in the face, and say nay but you must not move my cup out of its place, while I have

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Other very pretty tricks with Bals.

Other very pretty tricks with Bals.

R Etaine one small ball in your hand, and lay three other small bals upon the table: then with your right hand take up one of the three bals, and put into your left hand, saying, There is one, then take up the second, and put that into your left hand also, and therewith likewise put the ball you retained in your right hand, saying, And there is two (yet you know there is three already) and shut your hand in due time: then take up the third ball in your right hand, and clap your right hand unto t

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Another.

Another.

T Ake up one of the bals in your right hand, &amp; put it into your left, holding it firmely between your forefinger and thumbe of your said left hand. Then with your forefinger and thumbe of your right hand (but be nimble) seeme to pull one ball out of another, which you may doe by slipping the ball that you retained in your right hand betweene the forefinger and thumb of the said hand, saying, Thus by activity have I learn'd to do, out of one little ball for to make two: and all of a bigne

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Another.

Another.

VV Ith your right hand take up one of the balls, and seeme to put it into the left, but retain it, shutting your left hand in due time, and say, There is one: then hold your hand from you. Then with your right hand take up another, saying, Here I take another. Then pronounce these words, Mercus mercurius by the powder of experience, Iubeo ; then open your left hand, saying, That's gone, and then open your right hand and shew them both together....

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How to make a stone seeme to vanish out of your hand.

How to make a stone seeme to vanish out of your hand.

Y Ou must have a stone of a reasonable bignesse, such as you may well hide in your hand, sitting in such manner as I have formerly said, that you may receive any thing into your lappe, take this stone out of your pocket, saying, You see, Gentlemen, here is a stone, a miraculous stone: Will you have it vanish, vade , or go away invisible; which being said, withdraw your hand to the side of the table letting the stone slip down into your lap, in which time stare about you, saying, chuse you whethe

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Another.

Another.

T Ake your stone againe out of your pocket, saying, here it is once againe, and I will give it unto any of you to hold, and reach your hand out unto them, and opening your hand, say Loe here it is. Then when any one is about to take it, withdraw your hand to the side of the table, and make your conveyance as before, in which time say, But you must promise mee to take it quickly: Then will hee say, I will, then reach your hand being shut, out unto him againe, and while hee striveth, thinking to t

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How to make a Card vanish, and finde it againe in a Nut.

How to make a Card vanish, and finde it againe in a Nut.

T Ake what card you will, pill the printed paper from off it, and roll it hard up, and make a hole in a nut, and take out the kernell, and then thrust in the card, afterwards stop the hole of the Nut neatly with waxe, this Nut you must have in readinesse about you, and when you are in your play, call for such a card as you inclosed in your Nut, or else haue one in a readinesse, and say, You see Gentlemen, here is such a card: then wet it, and pill off the printed side, roll it up, and the usuall

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How to seeme to eate a Knife.

How to seeme to eate a Knife.

D Esire any one of your spectators to accommodate you with a Knife, which when you haue gotten, hold it in such manner as that you may cover the whole knife with both your hands, the end of the haft excepted, and set the point of it unto your eye, and say, some body strike it in with his fist, but no body will, because it is so dangerous a thing: then set your hands upon the edge of the Table, and looking about you, say, why what will no body strike it in, in which time let the knife slip downe

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How to rap a Wag on the knuckles.

How to rap a Wag on the knuckles.

T Ake a ball and lay it on the Table, and holding a knife in one hand by the blade, desire some body to take the Ball that is upon the Table, &amp; lay it upon the haft of the knife, pretending that you will blow it thence invisibly, and when he is laying it on, take him a good rap on the knuckles....

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How to seeme to swallow a long pudding made of Tinne.

How to seeme to swallow a long pudding made of Tinne.

T His Pudding must be made of Tin, it consisteth of twelve little hoops made Tape-wise, so that they may almost fall one thorow another, and have a piece of Canvas tyed over the biggest end thereof, to the end it may not hurt your teeth by hastily clapping it into your mouth. The figure whereof followeth, and is marked with the letters A A. hold this Pudding (for so it is called) privately in your left hand with the Canvas end uppermost, and with your right hand take a Ball out of your pocket, a

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How to seeme to cut ones nose halfe off.

How to seeme to cut ones nose halfe off.

F Or the effecting of this feate, you must have a knife for the nonce, made with a gap in the midst of the blade, as it is demonstrated in the following figure noted with the letter A. You must conceale the notch with your finger, and then wring it over the fleshie part of your nose, and your nose will seeme as it were halfe cut off with the knife....

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How to seeme to pull a rope through your nose.

How to seeme to pull a rope through your nose.

Y Ou must have likewise for the effecting of this delusion, an Implement on purpose. The figure wherof followeth. It may bee made of two elder sticks, thrusting out the pith, and afterward glued together, the ends whereof must have a piece of corke cut hollow and glued over them: then must there be a little whipcord put thorow them, the ends whereof must come out at two holes made on the outward side of each elder sticke. Put this Trinket over the fleshie part of your nose, then pul one end of t

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How to make a pile of Counters seeme to vanish thorow a Table.

How to make a pile of Counters seeme to vanish thorow a Table.

Y Ou must have for the performing of this feate, divers counters having holes cut out of the midst of them, then they must be glued together so many of them as they may make a case sufficient to containe a Die: then glue one whole counter upon the top of them, and have a boxe made of white Tinne to fit them, but let it be deeper than the glued pile of Counters; also make a cover for this boxe. First, put into the boxe three loose counters, then put in the glued pile of counters with the hole upp

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How to seeme to put a ring through ones cheeke.

How to seeme to put a ring through ones cheeke.

Y Ou must have two rings made of brasse, silver, or what you will, of one bignesse, colour, and likenesse saving that one must have a notch cut through it as it is represented by the figure following noted with X The other must be whole without a notch; shew the whole Ring, and conceale that which hath the notch, and say, now I will put this ring thorow my cheeke, and privily slip the notch one over one side of your mouth, and nimbly convey the whole Ring into your sleeve, or conceale it in your

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How to seeme to thrust a bodkin into your forehead.

How to seeme to thrust a bodkin into your forehead.

Y Ou must have two bodkins, the one made like unto the other to outward appearance, but let the blade of the one be made to slip up into the haft: let the other be a true Bodkin: Conceale the false one, and shew the true, after that you have shewed it, convey it into your lap. Then take up the false one, and reclining your head, make as if you thrust it very stifly, making an ill favoured face all the while. If you hold a peece of spunge in your hand filled with some sheeps bloud, pressing it ou

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How to put a Locke upon ones mouth.

How to put a Locke upon ones mouth.

Y Ou must have a Locke made for the nonce, the figure whereof followeth, the one side of its bow must be immoveable, as that marked with A: the other side is noted with B, and must be pinned to the bodie of the locke, as may appeare at E, I say it must be so pinned that it may play to and againe with ease. This side of the bow must have a legge as C, and then turn into the Locke; this bending must have two notches filed on the inner side, which must be so ordered that the one may locke or hold t

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The use of it.

The use of it.

Y Ou may cause someone to hold one tester edgelong betweene his teeth: Take also another tester and with your left hand proffer to set it edgelong betweene a second mans teeth, pretending that your intent is to turne both into whether of their mouthes they shall desire, and that by vertue of your words and circumstances which he shall no sooner essay to do, but you holding your locke privately in your right hand with your fore finger over the legge C, may presently slip it over the left side his

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How to make it freeze by the fire side.

How to make it freeze by the fire side.

T His feate cannot be performed at every time, but onely in Winter, and at such times as snow may be had, and he that will shew it must have in readinesse an handfull of salt. The time serving, and the partie provided, let him call for a Ioynt-stoole, a quart pot, an handfull of snow, a little water, and a short staffe or sticke, first let him powre a little water upon the top of the stoole, and upon it let him see the quart pot, and put the snow into the pot, the salt also, but privately, then

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How to breath fire out of your mouth.

How to breath fire out of your mouth.

T He performance of this tricke consisteth in the rowling up of the towe. After you have made a rowle in readinesse, call for a pipe of Tobacco, light it, and take a whiffe or two, you may stop it downe with the one end of your rowle of tow, retaining it priuately in your hand: then deliuer the Pipe to some body else, and conuey the tow into your mouth: then blow gently, and smoake and fire will come forth of your mouth, which you may continue as long as you please by putting in more tow as it c

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How to draw ribbins of any colour out of your mouth, and to deliver it by the yard.

How to draw ribbins of any colour out of your mouth, and to deliver it by the yard.

Y Ou must prouide you diuers sorts of Ribbins, some blacke, some blew, some greene, some yellow: measure it, and at the end of euery yard make a slip knot, then rowle each coloured ribben into a ball by it selfe, and dispose them about you, that you may know readily which to take in an instant. When you are called upon for so many yards of such a colour, conuey a ball of the same into your mouth, and draw it out, remembring how many knots haue slipped at your teeth, then cut it off and deliuer i

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How to make two bels come into one hand, having put into each hand one.

How to make two bels come into one hand, having put into each hand one.

T His feate must be performed with three bels, you must put one bell into your left sleeue, then put one Bell into one hand, and another Bell into the other hand (they must be little morris bels) withdraw your hands, and privily conuey the bell in your left hand, into your right hand: Then stretch both your hands abroad, and bid two folkes hold your hands fast, but first shake your hands and say, doe you heare them. The bell that is in your sleeve will not be knowne by the ratling, but that it i

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How to make a Iugling booke, or a booke for Waggery.

How to make a Iugling booke, or a booke for Waggery.

Y Ou must provide a paper book in octavo, of what thicknesse you please; first turne over seaven leaves of it, and then upon both the open sides, draw or paint the pictures of flowers, then turne over seaven leaves more, and paint the very same; do thus untill you have turned the book once quite over: Then unto the farther painted leafes, past a little stay of paper or parchment one directly over another: Then turne over the booke againe, and having turned every sixt leafe, draw the picture of f

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Bonus Genius or Nuntius invisibilis, or Hiccius Doccius as my senior cals it.

Bonus Genius or Nuntius invisibilis, or Hiccius Doccius as my senior cals it.

Y Ou must have the figure of a man made of wood, about the bignesse of your little finger, as may appeare by the figure noted C D, the head whereof noted with A, must bee made to take off and put on at pleasure, by meanes of a wyer that is in the necke, marked with B: also you must have a cloth cap with a little hole in the crowne of it, as F: This cap must have a little bagge within to convey the head into. The bag must be neatly made, that it may not easily be perceived; shew your man unto the

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Boxes to change Graine.

Boxes to change Graine.

M Ake one boxe of Wood, Tinne, or Brasse: let the bottome fall a quarter of an inch into the boxe, and glue thereon a laying of Barlie or such like graine: draw the boxe with the bottome downewards, and say, Gentlemen, I met a Countrie man going to buy Barlie, and I told him I would sell him a penniworth, also I would multiplie one graine into so many bushels as hee should need, then cast a barlie corne into your boxe, and cover it with a hat, and in the covering it, turne the bottom upside down

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How to vanish a glasse full of Beere.

How to vanish a glasse full of Beere.

T Ake a low glasse, fill it reasonable full of Beere, and take a sixpence and lay it downe upon the table, and set the glasse of Beere upon it, and dipping your finger into the Beere, say, whether is the sixpence in, or under the glasse. Some will say perhaps, it is under: then say, let's see, and take up at once both sixe pence and glasse (hold the glasse so that both your hands may quite hide it) and let the glass slip plum downe into your lap, then make as if you threw it away, looking up aft

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How to seeme to cut off a mans head, it is called the decollation of Iohn Baptist.

How to seeme to cut off a mans head, it is called the decollation of Iohn Baptist.

Y Ou must have a table with two good wide holes towards one end, also a cloth on purpose to cover the table with, so that the said covering may hang to the ground round about the table; also this covering must have two holes made in it even with the holes of the table, you must also have a platter of wood for the purpose, having a hole in the bottom to fit also unto the holes of the table, and it must, as also the table, be made to take in two pieces: having these in readinesse, you must have tw

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How to make the face of a Childe to appeare in a pot of water.

How to make the face of a Childe to appeare in a pot of water.

Y Ou must get a ball made of wood, and upon one halfe or side of it, there must the face of a childe be artificially carued: on the backe side of this face there must bee made a hole, but not very deepe; this hole must be filled with Lead, to the end that it may (the ball being cast into the water) sway the face uppermost: then paint it livelie with oyle colours, and it is done. Note that it ought not to be full so big as a tenis ball. Call for a wine quart pot filled with faire water up to the

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Advice whereby you may drinke a Tunnell full of drink, and afterwards seeme to poure the same all out of your sleeve againe.

Advice whereby you may drinke a Tunnell full of drink, and afterwards seeme to poure the same all out of your sleeve againe.

Y Ou must get a double Tunnell, that is, two Tunnels sodered one within the other, so that you may at the little end poure a quantitie of wine, water, or any liquor. This Tunnell you must have readie filled before hand with whatsoever liquor you please: call for some of the same kinde: then draw your Tunnell, and setting your middle finger unto the bottome of it, bid some body, or else do you your selfe poure it full, and drinke it up before them, and turne the broad end of the Tunnell downeward

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How to seeme to make a tooth drop out with a touch.

How to seeme to make a tooth drop out with a touch.

Y Ou must have some great tooth in a readinesse, as the tooth of a Hog, a Calfe, or of an Horse; this you must retain privately in your right hand, and with the same hand take out of your pocket a small corke bal, and having used some Rhetorick to perswade them that it is of some excellent property, incline your head, and therewith touch some one of your farther teeth, and immediately let the tooth that you held in your hand drop downe, saying, and this is the fashion of Mountebanks, Touch and t

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Another conceit to procure laughter.

Another conceit to procure laughter.

T Ake your ball in one hand, and the tooth in the other, and stretch your hands as farre as you can one from the other, and if any will, lay a quart of wine with him that you will not withdraw your hands, and yet will make both of them come into either hand which they please: It is no more to do, than to lay one downe upon the Table, and turne your selfe round, and take it up with the other hand, and your wager is won, and it will move no small laughter to see a foole so lose his money....

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How to make two or three egges dance upon a staffe.

How to make two or three egges dance upon a staffe.

P Rovide a good thick staffe about two yards long, three parts wherof ought to be made scoope-wise, or halfe hollow, like a basting ladle, the fourth part must serue for the handle. At the end of the scoope must be made a hole, and therein put a broad pin about the length of an egge, and it is done. Rest the handle of this staffe against your right thigh, and hold it with your right hand neere to the beginning of the scoope; lay an egge then into the scoope of the staffe, and turne your selfe ro

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A merry conceit

A merry conceit

D Eliver one peece of money with your left hand unto one and to a second person another, and offer a third to another, for he seeing the other receive money, will not lightly refuse it: when he offereth to take it, you may rap him on the fingers with a knife, or somewhat else held in your right hand, saying that you knew by vertue of your bonus genius , that hee meant to have kept it from you....

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How to knit an hard knot upon a handkercher, and to seeme to undo the same with words.

How to knit an hard knot upon a handkercher, and to seeme to undo the same with words.

M Ake one plaine loose knot, with the two corner ends of a handkercher, and seeming to draw the same very hard, hold fast the body of the said handkercher (neere to the knot) with your right hand, pulling the contrary end with the left hand, which is the corner of that which you hold. Then cloze up handsomely the knot, which will bee yet somewhat loose, and pull the handkercher so with your right hand, as the left hand end may be neere to the knot: then will it seeme to be a true and firme knot.

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A notable feat of Fast and Loose; namely, to pull three beadstones from off a Cord, while you hold fast the ends thereof, without removing of your hands.

A notable feat of Fast and Loose; namely, to pull three beadstones from off a Cord, while you hold fast the ends thereof, without removing of your hands.

T Ake two litle whipcords of two foot long a piece, double them equally, so as there may appeare foure ends. Then take three great beadstones, the hole of the one of them being bigger than the rest; and put one beadstone upon the eye or bought of the one cord, and another on the other cord: then take the stone with the greatest hole, and let both the bowts be hidden therein: which may be the better done, if you put the eye of the one into the eye of the other. Then pull the middle bead upon the

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To burne a threed, and to make it whole againe with the ashes thereof.

To burne a threed, and to make it whole againe with the ashes thereof.

T Ake two Threeds or small Laces, of one foot in length a piece: rowle up one of them round, which will be then of the quantity of a pease, bestow the same betweene your left fore-finger and your thumb. Then take the other threed and hold it forth at length, betwixt the fore-finger and thumb of each hand, holding all your fingers daintily, as yong Gentlewomen are taught to take up a morsel of meat. Then let one cut asunder the same threed in the middle; when that is done, put the tops of your tw

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To cut a Lace asunder in the midst, and to make it whole againe.

To cut a Lace asunder in the midst, and to make it whole againe.

P Rovide a piece of the Lace which you meane to cut, or at the least a patterne like the same, one inch and a halfe long, and keeping it double privily in your left hand, betwixt some of your fingers neare to the tops thereof take the other Lace which you meane to cut, which you may hang about ones necke, &amp; draw downe your said left hand to the bought thereof: and putting your owne piece a little before the other (the end or rather the middle whereof, you must hide betwixt your fore-fing

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How to seeme suddenly to melt a piece of Coyne with words.

How to seeme suddenly to melt a piece of Coyne with words.

Y Ou must have a boxe made of brasse or Crooked Lane plate, a double boxe, and not above five quarters of an inch deepe: in the midst must be the bottome, and both ends must have covers to come over them. This boxe might be so neatly made, that each lid might have a small bolt artificially contrived (which though I could make my selfe neither by words nor figures I can describe) whereby the lids of the boxe might be lockt fast on, that none but master Iugler himselfe knows readily to open. In on

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A device whereby you may draw sundrie liquors out of one seeming vessell, all which shall be put in at one hole, and all drawne out of another.

A device whereby you may draw sundrie liquors out of one seeming vessell, all which shall be put in at one hole, and all drawne out of another.

Y Ou must cause a vessell of an indifferent bignesse to be made in forme of a Tunne, having two partitions, so there will be three severall parts: A B signifieth the first, C D the second, and E F the third, upon the top of this Tunne must bee fast nailed a piece of wood turned round as G H, in the center whereof must be erected a stile, whose top must be made into a screw, in this wood must also be made three holes towards the circumpherence, each hole having a pipe inserted into it, which may

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A very strange tricke whereby you may seeme to cut a piece of Tape into foure parts, and make it whole againe with words.

A very strange tricke whereby you may seeme to cut a piece of Tape into foure parts, and make it whole againe with words.

T Ake a piece of narrow white tape about two or three yards long; first present it to view to any that may desire it, then tie both the ends of it together, and take one side of it in one hand, and the other in the other hand, so that the knot may be about the midst of one side, and using some circumstantiall words to beguile your spectators, turn one hand about towards your selfe, and the other from you, so shall you twist the tape once, then clap the ends together, and then if you slip your fo

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A device how to multiply one face, and make it seeme to be an hundred or a thousand.

A device how to multiply one face, and make it seeme to be an hundred or a thousand.

T His feate must be performed by a looking-glasse made for the nonce, the figure whereof I have fully described, with the manner of making it, which is thus: First make an hoope or phillet of wood, horn, or such like, about the widenesse of an halfe-crowne piece, in the circumference; the thicknesse of this hoope or phillet let be about a quarter of an inch. In the middle of this hoope fasten a bottome of wood or brasse, and bore in a decent order divers small holes about the bignesse of small p

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Of divers pretty iugling knacks.

Of divers pretty iugling knacks.

T Here are many feats able to beguile the simple, as to deliver meale, pepper, ginger, or any powder out of your mouth after the eating of bread, which is done by retaining any of these things stuffed in a little paper or bladder, conveyed into your mouth, and grinding the same with your teeth. Item , a rush thorow a piece of a trencher, having three holes, and at the one side the rush appearing out in the second, at the other side in the third hole, by reason of an hollow place made betwixt the

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Feats by conveyance of money:

Feats by conveyance of money:

T He best place to dispose of a piece of money, is in the palme of the hand, and the best piece for conveyance is a tester, but with practice all will be alike....

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A notable tricke to transforme a Counter into a Groat.

A notable tricke to transforme a Counter into a Groat.

T Ake a Groat, or some lesse peece of money, and grinde it very thinne at the one side, and take two Counters and grind them, the one on the one side, the other on the other side; glew the smooth side of the Groat to the smooth side of one of the Counters, ioyning them so close together as may be, specially at the edges, which may be so filed, as they shall seeme to be but one piece; to wit, one side a counter, the other side a groat. Then take a little greene waxe, and lay it upon the smooth si

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An excellent feat to make a twopeny piece lye plaine in your hand, and to be passed from thence when you lift.

An excellent feat to make a twopeny piece lye plaine in your hand, and to be passed from thence when you lift.

P Vt a little red waxe (but not too thinne) upon the naile of your longest finger, and let a stranger put a twopeny piece into the palme of your hand, and shut your fist suddenly, and convey the twopeny piece upon the wax, which with use you may so accomplish, as no man shall perceive it. Then say, Ailif, casil, zaze, hit, mel , and suddenly open your hand, holding the tips of your fingers rather lower than higher than the palme of your hand, and the beholders will wonder where it is become. The

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How to transforme any one small thing into another forme by folding of paper.

How to transforme any one small thing into another forme by folding of paper.

T Ake a sheet of paper and fold, or double the same, so as one side be a little longer than the other: Then put a Counter betweene the two leaves of the paper up to the middle of the top of the fold, holding the same so as it be not perceived, and lay a groat on the outside thereof, right against the Counter, and fold it downe to the end of the longer side: and when you unfold it againe, the groat will be where the Counter was, and the counter where the groat was; so as some will suppose that yo

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How to convey money out of one of your hands into the other by Legerdemain.

How to convey money out of one of your hands into the other by Legerdemain.

F Irst, you must hold open your right hand, and lay therein a Tester, or some big piece of money, then lay thereupon the top of your long left finger, and use some words of Art, &amp; upon the sudden, slip your right hand from your finger, wherewith you held downe the Tester, and bending your hand a very little, you shall retain the Tester still therein, and suddenly drawing your right hand thorow your left, you shall seeme to have left the Tester there, specially when you shut in due time y

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How to make a six pence seeme to fall thorow a Table.

How to make a six pence seeme to fall thorow a Table.

Y Ou must have an Handkercher about you, having a Counter neatly sewed in one of the corners of it: take it out of your pocket, and desire some bodie to lend you a tester, and seeme to wrap it up in the midst of the Handkercher, but retaine it in your hand, and in stead of so doing, wrap the corner in the middest that hath the counter sewed in it, and then bid them feele if it be not there, which they will imagine to bee no other than the tester that they lent you. Then bid them lay it under a h

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How to seeme to blow sixpence out of another mans hand.

How to seeme to blow sixpence out of another mans hand.

T Ake a sixpence, blow on it, and clap it presently into one of your spectators hands, bidding them to hold it fast: Then aske of him if he be sure he have it, then to be certaine, he will open his hand and look. Then say to him nay, but if you let my breath go off, I cannot do it. Then take it out of his hand againe, and blow on it, and staring him in the face, clap a piece of horne in his hand, and retaine the sixpence, shutting his hand your selfe. Bid him hold his hand downe, and slip the te

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How to deliver to one man one sixpence, and to another another sixpence, and to make both the testers come into one mans hand.

How to deliver to one man one sixpence, and to another another sixpence, and to make both the testers come into one mans hand.

D Eliver into one mans hand two testers even set instead of one, shutting his hand immediatly: then take another tester, and have in readinesse a piece of horne cut even with it. Clap the said tester into his right hand with the horne under it, staying the tops of your two middlemost fingers stiffe upon the tester; so bending his hand a little downward, draw your fingers toward you, and they will slip the tester out of his hand, and shut his hand presently, who feeling the piece of horne, will i

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Conveyance of Cards and Dice.

Conveyance of Cards and Dice.

T Here are a multitude of delightful feats which may be performed by an orderly placing, facing, shuffling, and cutting of cards usually played withall. Also a number of other strange feats may bee shewed by cards and dice, such as may be purposely made. The cards may be made halfe of one print and halfe of another; so by holding them divers wayes sundrie things may be presented each contrary to other. For example, with foure of the same Cards purposely made, and holding them accordingly, you sh

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Of Confederacie.

Of Confederacie.

S Ome there are that have said I writ not sufficiently of this part in the former Edition; I rather thinke the cause was they thought they had too litle for their money. Neverthelesse I will to give every one their desired content, and deliver my minde more fully herein, and it may be which I most desire they may learne to avoid the company of roaving gamesters, cheaters, I meane that frequent the high-wayes, and principall Townes and places of resort thereabouts; for they are of the same manner

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How to cast a peece of money away, and to finde it in another mans mouth, pocket, or purse.

How to cast a peece of money away, and to finde it in another mans mouth, pocket, or purse.

T He Iugler cals for some one piece of coine, as a tester or a shilling of any one in the company, he willeth him to marke it with what marke he will, then he taketh it and casteth it away, and commeth to his confederate (who is furnished before-hand with the like piece of coine marked with the very same marke) and bids him deliver the money out of his pocket, purse, or if hee say the word, his mouth; for this is concluded of before-hand. Now this confederate to make the matter seeme more strang

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How by the sound of a Counter philliped to tell what side is uppermost, whether crosse or pyle.

How by the sound of a Counter philliped to tell what side is uppermost, whether crosse or pyle.

T He Iugler draws a Counter out of his pocket, and saith to the company, See here is a Counter, take it who please, and let them phillip it up, and I will by my cunning tell you whether crosse or pyle be uppermost by the very sound for you shall hood-winke me. Now there are three, foure, or more confederates in the place, who seeming strangers as well as the rest will be very importunate to have the philliping it, and before one of these shall have it, who by some signe of the fingers or counten

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How to make a bellowing noyse like an oxe, of a dogge and cat fighting together, or of two mastiffes fighting together.

How to make a bellowing noyse like an oxe, of a dogge and cat fighting together, or of two mastiffes fighting together.

T His I saw once or twice performed, and to my knowledge not above. It was a lusty young fellow that did it with a cloth cast over his head which reached downe to his feet, all was to beguile the people, for he pretended that this sound came out of his belly; he had a full and strong voice, and had practised a good while, and another man of the like making may easily do as much. For his nostrils he stopt with his forefinger and thumbe, and closed the other part of his hand over his mouth as I sa

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