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ON APPARATUS, AND ITS USES AND ABUSES
HOUDIN'S DIE--ADDITIONAL EFFECT--NEW METHOD
THE GOLD-FISH TRICK: PISCICULTURE EXTRAORDINARY--THE BOWLS AND COVERS--THE CLOTH--WHERE TO CARRY THE BOWLS--HOW TO PRODUCE THEM--BAD AND GOOD INNOVATIONS --HOW TO CAUSE THE BOWLS TO DISAPPEAR--MISHAPS
GOLD FISH AND INK--
THE GLOBE--THE LINING--THE LADLE--HOW TO FILL IT--THE CARD--THE TRICK IN A SMALL WAY
TRAVELS OF A GLASS OF WATER
GOLD! GOLD! EVERYWHERE
THE HEN FOR EVERY HOUSEHOLD--THE BEST BREEDS: NO. 1. NO. 2, AND NO. 3
HOW TO HATCH YOUR EGGS WITH DESPATCH
DECAPITATION NOT FATAL TO FOWLS
"KLING. KLANG"
HOW TO STAND FIRE -- THE INTERCEPTED BULLET
THE WANDERING GINGER-BEER BOTTLE
THE PLUME AND THE SEED
COOKING MADE EASY: HAT VERSUS SAUCEPAN--A LITTLE ACCIDENT, AND HOW TO RECTIFY IT
THE FLAGS OF OLD ENGLAND
A NUT FOR BLACKSMITHS TO CRACK
THE DRAWER BOX-- HOW TO MAKE IT -- WHEN TO USE IT, AND WHEN NOT --THE CONE
BACCHUS' DOVECOTE--HOW TO PREPARE THE BOTTLE--HOW TO MESMERISE AND CAUSE A DOVE TO DISAPPEAR
THE WINE-DRINKING CRYSTAL BALL
BACCHUS' MAYPOLE--ON PROGRAMMES AND TITLES--HOW TO MAKE THE BOTTLE
THE ACCOMMODATING BOTTLE -- HOW TO "WORK" IT SUCCESSFULLY--ANOTHER METHOD
THE MESMERIC SUSPENSION WAND: TWO METHODS
THE MAGI'S BRAZEN ROD--THE BALLS--HOW TO CHANGE THE RINGS
THE SHOWER OF PLUMES
THE FAIRY FLOWER
PERAMBULATING BOTTLE AND TUMBLER
THE MAGIC OMELETTE
TO PASS A BORROWED RING INSIDE AN EGG
THE FLYING CAGE
THE GREAT DICTIONARY TRICK
MAGICAL WINE
THE SACK TRICK
THE DANCING SAILOR
THE ANTI-GRAVITATION BALL
TO CAUSE A STICK TO STAND ON END
HOWEVER great the respect which one may have for sleight of hand pure and simple, it is quite undeniable that a set performance is greatly improved by the occasional introduction of some neat-looking, but not gaudy, apparatus. Under this head need by no means be included self-acting machinery, during the performance of which the performer acts as a mere puppet. All the apparatus mentioned in this work will require adroit handling; and the conjuror will do well to practise as thoroughly with each article as he would towards the acquisition of a feat of sleight of hand. Apparatus seems to have a malicious pleasure in going wrong, always on the most critical occasions, and, for this reason, the majority of skilful performers feel most happy when using very little of it. One thing may be taken for granted, viz., that apparatus, exhibited without the assistance of sleight of hand, and plenty of it, causes the performer to degenerate into a mere showman opening a box here, and taking off a lid there. In introducing apparatus, the performer must lay a very great deal of stress upon the sleight of hand portion of the business, as though therein lay the whole of the trick, the apparatus being a mere necessary evil in connection with it. By engaging the attention of the company with sleight of hand, it is drawn away from the apparatus, the spectators being so convinced of the performer's skill that they do not so readily accuse him of trusting to gaudy boxes and canisters for his effects.
Some of the apparatus described can be made at home, but, as a general rule, it is cheaper and more satisfactory to buy it at a conjuring repository. Low prices are the order of the day; and, as the articles are made by experienced men, they must be superior to those manufactured by persons new to the business.